Strategic Finance Manager

Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils have formed a publicly owned, Council-controlled Organisation (CCO) to deliver water services across Hamilton city and Waikato district. The company is called IAWAI - Flowing Waters and will take over the provision of water services from 1 July 2026. This transition will occur in stages such as the current Watercare contract for Waikato District Council transferring to the CCO on 1 July 2026.  

He angituutanga: The opportunity 

As the Strategic Finance Manager, you’ll lead IAWAI’s long‑term financial modelling, scenario planning, capital allocation, and pricing strategy. Your work will help ensure our decisions are financially sound, strategically aligned, and built to support a 30‑year planning horizon that delivers real value for our communities.

You’ll be a key advisor to the CFO and Executive, translating complex financial information into clear choices that support confident decision‑making. You’ll bring strategy, finance, and long‑term planning together by developing IAWAI’s 30‑year financial model, leading scenario analysis, and shaping the frameworks that guide how and where we invest.

This role is all about helping IAWAI invest in the right things at the right time. Your insight will strengthen capital allocation, improve long‑term outcomes, and ensure our financial strategy supports a sustainable and future‑focused organisation.

We’re open to shaping this role around the right person, including flexibility in hours and the possibility of less than full-time work if that is your preference. 

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience 

• Strategic insight, commercial depth, and decision discipline
• Analytical curiosity, commercial drive, and a commitment to long-term value creation.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building capability.
• Ability to balance short‑term cost pressures with long-term enterprise value.
• A relevant tertiary qualification is preferred (i.e., Finance, Accounting or Business Administration). CIMA desired
• Minimum 10 years’ experience across different financial functions. In particular FP&A and commercial roles.
• Proven leadership skills in working across multiple teams and systems.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen.
• Proactive, structured, and capable of managing competing priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated experience building trusted relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary? 

Circa $150k dependent on skills and experience.

Me Tono Inaaianei!: Apply Now! 

• View the position description.
• Click apply
• ​Complete your application.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the: 20th April 2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

Start date for this role will be on or after 1 July 2026

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking hereIt is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met