Board of Administration – Methodist Church of New Zealand

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced finance professional who is motivated by purpose as much as performance. The Board of Administration of the Methodist Church of New Zealand is seeking a Financial Services Manager to provide strategic and operational financial leadership across the Church’s Connexional activities, supporting its mission, values, and commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The position will also require hands on “roll up your sleeves” approach to do the mahi around some of the day to day accounting.

Reporting to the General Secretary and leading an experienced finance team, this role plays a critical part in ensuring strong stewardship of financial resources, transparency, and long-term sustainability across the organisation and its associated entities.

The Role

As Financial Services Manager, you will be responsible for the full breadth of financial leadership, including strategic planning, budgeting, management and financial reporting, audit management, and compliance. You will work closely with Church leadership, governance bodies, parishes, synods, and external stakeholders to provide trusted advice and clear financial insight in a complex public benefit and charitable environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic financial leadership aligned to the Church’s mission and values
• Leading annual planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes
• Overseeing monthly and annual financial reporting for the Board and client entities
• Managing the preparation of statutory and audited financial statements in line with Public Benefit Entity standards
• Planning and coordinating annual audits across multiple funds and clients
• Leading, mentoring, and developing a team of finance professionals
• Acting as a key advisor to the General Secretary, Board of Administration, and other Church bodies
• Maintaining strong relationships with parishes, synods, auditors, banks, and regulators
• Ensuring compliance with Church Law, the Charities Act, and relevant financial reporting legislation

About you

You will be a senior finance leader with strong technical capability and a collaborative leadership style, comfortable operating in a values-led, not-for-profit environment. You bring credibility, sound judgement, and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, practical advice for a wide range of stakeholders.

You will ideally bring:

• Significant experience in senior financial management, preferably within not-for-profit, public benefit, or complex multi-entity environments
• Proven experience leading budgeting, forecasting, audit processes, and financial governance
• Advanced Excel skills and experience across multiple accounting systems (e.g. Great Plains, Business Central, Xero)
• Demonstrated people leadership capability, with experience coaching and developing finance teams
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and discretion
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
• A professional accounting qualification (CA, CPA or equivalent) 

Why this role?

This is a rare opportunity to apply your financial expertise in a role with genuine purpose and impact. You will work alongside committed leaders and contribute to the long-term sustainability of an organisation that supports faith communities, social justice initiatives, and community outreach across Aotearoa New Zealand.