• Lead a high-performing agribusiness team
• Drive growth across Southland
• Shape the future of rural banking

Rabobank is the world's leading specialist food and agribusiness bank, built by farmers for farmers and dedicated to supporting the long-term success of rural communities. With deep sector expertise, strong local relationships, and access to global food and agribusiness insights, Rabobank is uniquely positioned to help New Zealand's farming businesses thrive. Rabobank's purpose is clear – enabling clients to feed the world sustainably while growing a better New Zealand together.

An exciting leadership opportunity has arisen for an experienced Area Manager to lead Rabobank's Agribusiness team across Southland.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Regional Manager, you will lead a team of Agribusiness Managers, driving business growth, client outcomes, team performance, and profitability across the region.

This is a significant leadership role where you will balance commercial performance with people leadership, coaching and mentoring a team of banking professionals while strengthening Rabobank's position as the bank of choice for New Zealand's food and agribusiness sector.

You will work closely with internal stakeholders across credit, risk, operations and leadership teams while maintaining a strong presence in the rural community and with key industry networks.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing team of Agribusiness Managers.
• Driving business growth, client acquisition and portfolio performance.
• Building a culture focused on client service, collaboration and accountability.
• Supporting succession planning, talent development and recruitment activities.
• Managing performance against revenue, asset growth, and profitability, along with client satisfaction targets.
• Ensuring strong credit quality, risk management and compliance disciplines.
• Contributing to regional strategy and broader leadership initiatives across Country Banking New Zealand.
• Strengthening Rabobank's relationships within the Southland rural sector and wider agribusiness community.

About You

You will be a credible and respected leader with a strong understanding of the rural sector and a genuine passion for helping farming businesses succeed.

You are likely to bring:

• Senior experience within rural banking, agribusiness finance or a related commercial environment.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to inspire, coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and a track record of achieving growth and profitability objectives.
• Well-developed relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Sound credit, lending and financial analysis capability.
• Strategic thinking combined with a practical, hands-on leadership style.
• A strong understanding of New Zealand agriculture and the challenges and opportunities facing rural clients.

A background in rural banking, agribusiness lending or agricultural finance will be highly regarded.

Why Rabobank?

This is an opportunity to join an organisation that is genuinely committed to the food and agribusiness sector. Rabobank combines local relationships and market knowledge with global expertise, research and industry networks, creating a unique value proposition for clients and employees alike.

You will be joining a values-led organisation that invests in its people, supports career development, and plays an active role in strengthening New Zealand's rural communities.

If you are an experienced agribusiness leader looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across Southland's farming sector, we would welcome your application.