Principal Adviser, Banking

A great place to work. With great work to do. Ours is a meaningful and impactful role, as a kaitiaki (caretaker) of the financial services in Aotearoa. We oversee a market that does right by everyone, ensuring better outcomes for all New Zealanders. Our role as a kaitiaki is brought to life by our values; Look to the Horizon, Help the Team Work, Make the Calls and Open Hearts, Open Minds. Te Tūranga | The role Join us as a Principal Adviser, Banking (Deposit Taking), where you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how conduct regulation comes to life across Aotearoa’s deposit-taking sector. You will play a key role in supporting the FMA's supervision of conduct obligations across the banking (deposit taking) sector, including the Conduct of Financial Institutions (CoFI) regime and consumer credit regulation. This is a role with real impact, where your thought leadership, judgement, and technical expertise directly influence how banks and non‑bank deposit takers treat their customers. As our go-to person for deep subject matter knowledge, you’ll provide visible, proactive technical leadership that supports both the Deposit Taking team and the wider FMA. You’ll help stand up and guide complex and novel supervisory engagements, lead thinking on emerging conduct risks, support the delivery of regulatory priorities and build capability across the team through coaching and mentoring. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  Provision of visible, enthusiastic, and intelligent technical leadership within the Deposit Taking team  Provide thought leadership, research, and knowledge on Deposit Taking industry developments, business models, commercial drivers, products, distribution methods and risks to fair treatment of consumers and markets  Lead and/or support the drafting and operationalising of our supervision approach and plan, with support from the Head of, Technical Specialist and Managers  Provide technical mentoring and coaching to the Deposit Taking team.    Build strong relationships with industry participants, regulators and internal stakeholders.  Use operational insights and data to improve supervision processes, tools and approaches. He kōrero mōu | About you You’ll be someone who brings depth of knowledge, sound judgement, and a genuine passion for improving outcomes for financial services consumers.  You'll demonstrate strong experience in conduct regulation, supervision, risk, compliance, audit or the broader financial services sector. You're comfortable navigating complex issues, applying sound judgement, and making sense of ambiguity to provide practical, well-reasoned advice. You enjoy building relationships and influencing a wide range of stakeholders, whether that's market participants, internal teams or external parties. Just as importantly, you're motivated by helping others succeed and enjoy coaching, mentoring and building capability across a team. Experience interpreting and applying legislation such as the FMC Act, CoFI regime, or consumer credit legislation would be advantageous. Ngā painga | What we offer We offer a comprehensive range of benefits, including:  4% KiwiSaver employer contribution  Health and life insurance cover  Paid leave over the Christmas period  The ability to swap public holidays for days that hold personal significance  Exceptional learning and development opportunities, including technical training and leadership programmes At the FMA, we’re committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We also offer a range of wellness and social activities to support both personal and professional wellbeing and help our people genuinely connect with one another. Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply If this sounds like your next opportunity, please apply today. For more information, refer to the position description attached. Applications close Sunday 18 October at 5pm, though we may close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications. The appointing salary range for this role is $150,000 - $165,000 per annum plus 4% KiwiSaver and the benefits outlined above. Final offers are based on experience, skills, and internal equity. Pay equity and parity are important to us at the FMA, and we are committed to fairness and transparency throughout every stage of recruitment. If you require additional support with your application, please let us know so you are best placed to complete this with ease.