Senior Business Partner (Finance)

Published: 22 July 2026

Te whakapakari tahi i tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

We are looking for an experienced Senior Business Partner to lead and strengthen our finance business partnering, management accounting, and rates functions. This is a permanent, full-time position based in Napier.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this leadership role provides trusted financial advice, oversight and support across the organisation, helping to ensure sound financial management and informed decision-making at all levels. Working closely with Group Managers, budget holders and senior leaders, you will deliver high-quality financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and analysis that supports organisational performance and long-term sustainability. Responsible for leading a team of finance professionals, you will build capability, drive continuous improvement, and foster a proactive, customer-focused finance service that is trusted across the organisation.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

You will be an influential leader who enjoys partnering with stakeholders, leading high-performing teams, and providing expert advice that supports organisational objectives. You will bring strong technical accounting capability, experience operating in complex environments, and the confidence to lead discussions with senior leaders, auditors and elected members, translating complex financial information into practical, meaningful insights. With a collaborative and solutions-focused approach, you will be comfortable balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery while driving continuous improvement across finance functions.

You will also have:

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary qualification in Accounting.
• Chartered Accountant qualification is preferred.
• At least 7 years’ senior accounting experience.  
• Strong experience in business partnering, management accounting and financial reporting.
• Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling and variance analysis.
• Proven leadership and people management capability.

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

The salary range for this role is between $122,485 to $144,100 and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 5 weeks annual leave after 3 years
• 4% superannuation after 3 years
• Life insurance and income protection
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close Wednesday, 19 August 2026, however we will be shortlisting and interviewing appropriate candidates as applications are received. If you are interested in this position, please do not wait to apply as we may close the ad earlier than advertised.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

To view the job description please click here. 

Apply via Seek

If you require any further information, please email hr@hbrc.govt.nz.

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. 

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