Mō te tūnga | About the role
As Non-Public Funds (NPF) Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading a high-performing team and delivering trusted financial services that support the wider organisation.
This is a unique opportunity to combine your technical accounting expertise, leadership capability, and strategic mindset in a role that is both operationally diverse and highly influential. You will work across a complex stakeholder environment, building strong relationships, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring services remain effective, sustainable, and responsive to changing needs.
More than just managing day-to-day operations, you'll be a trusted advisor, an advocate for positive change, and a leader who empowers people to succeed. Your ability to balance long-term thinking with practical delivery will help shape outcomes, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to the ongoing success of this important function.
If you're looking for a role where you can lead, influence, and make a genuine impact, this is an opportunity to bring your expertise, drive innovation, and help shape the future of service delivery.
This role is based in Somme Defence Centre, Trentham. Once you have undergone training and are up to speed, there is the option of working from home 2 days a week
The salary for this role will be approximately $123,000 inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Appointments within this range are based on skills and experience.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience
To be successful in this role, you'll bring a combination of financial expertise, leadership capability, and strong stakeholder management skills. You will have experience analysing complex issues, developing practical solutions, and making sound decisions that balance business needs, risk, and organisational priorities. You'll thrive in an environment where collaboration, sound judgement, customer focus, and continuous improvement are key to success.
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- At least five years' experience in accounting, finance, or business roles within a large organisation, ideally in the public sector.
- Proven leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams.
- Sound financial analysis and accounting expertise, with the ability to communicate financial information to non-financial audiences.
- Experience managing financial accounting systems and processes.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- Strong planning and organisational skills will enable you to coordinate priorities
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage diverse stakeholders and translate technical financial information into clear, actionable insights for a range of audiences.
- The ability to drive change, continuous improvement, and foster a culture of learning and innovation.
- A tertiary qualification in accounting, finance, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant commercial experience. Membership of CAANZ (CA), ACA, or an equivalent professional qualification is highly desirable.
This role requires occasional domestic travel as you will be leading a team who are geographically dispersed across NZDF’s Camps and Bases. You need to have a Class 1 Full Driver’s Licence.
Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you
Safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.
NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply
Applications close on Monday 5 October 2026.
Use the links on this page where you’ll be directed to the Defence Careers website.
Please Note:
- All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description.
- Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.
- Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.
NZDF Employees/Members – please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.
NZDF Contractors – please apply via the Defence Careers website.
NZDF Reserves – please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.
Please Note:
To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here’s what you need to know:
Low Level Security Clearance
- You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
- At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last five (5) years.
- You must have a five (5) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.
If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.
