Senior Programme Accountant | Wellington City

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Programme Accountant

Role type: Permanent, full-time preferred

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: General Salary Range C: $119,376 - $139,700 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Have you been a qualified chartered accountant for over five years with experience in large programme accounting in large and complex environments. Join our Capital & Project Accounting team and help shape MPI's strategic investment decisions impacting outcomes for New Zealand.

Use your big picture thinking and attention to detail to mitigate financial impacts, and manage programme risks effectively.

Support one of NZ's largest laboratory builds and shape investment decisions that protect our borders and New Zealand's future.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• lead financials for major construction and ICT investment programmes
• advise governance boards and senior leaders with confidence
• track capital spend and forecast with accuracy and insight
• spot financial risks early and report with clarity
• connect financials to strategic outcomes across MPI
• support month-end close and hands-on financial analysis
• collaborate with delivery teams to understand impacts
• provide cover across MPI's investment portfolio
• help others and contribute to wider investment planning
• lead budgeting, and risk reporting
• TechOne experience a bonus – we'll support your growth

About You - Mōu

You are a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ or equivalent) with 5+ years post qualification experience in large programme environments. You bring strong understanding of programme planning, budgetary processes, and systems relating to financial performance, reporting, and governance.

You are confident working independently, solving problems, and owning mahi from start to finish. Bringing strong understanding of financial performance, reporting, and governance in complex programme settings, you have clear and credible communication with stakeholders at all levels.

You guarantee to:

• lead capital financials and influence decisions at the governance level
• manage capital programme financials and advise on strategic investment decisions

• work independently, solve problems, and take ownership of your responsibilities
• think strategically and critically to assess organisational impacts and risks
• communicate clearly and engage stakeholders with insight and credibility
• identify risks early and bring strong attention to detail
• ensure programme financial reporting is compliant with relevant accounting standards and rules

• navigate complexity and assess strategic financial risks with confidence

The role is highly stakeholder focused and requires someone with strong oral and written communication skills, and an ability to think innovatively about communicating information to stakeholders and customers.

Your mahi will directly support smarter investment decisions that protect Aotearoa's people, environment, and economy.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

You'll be joining a genuinely welcoming team of three that values initiative, curiosity, and collaboration. We support each other and enjoy sharing tools, knowledge, and good humour. You'll work alongside two Wellington-based colleagues focused on capital investment and programme financials. The team includes a Capital Accountant and an IT programme specialist, both easy-going and great to work with. We collaborate daily, share insights, and enjoy celebrating milestones together as a team.

Both teammates are happy to train you on TechOne and internal systems and are excited to have you onboard.

The Capital & Project Accounting team is part of our Finance & Procurement directorate. We work closely with the business and programmes to provide financial support, including budget and forecast support, monitor the Ministry's capital investment, assist with business case development, and preparing reports for various governance boards/committees.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We are passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Up to 3 additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your interest, and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11.59pm 28 August 2025

If you have any questions about the role, please email Sophie.Hallett@mpi.govt.nz 

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