Finance and Systems Manager

Nīkau Foundation is looking for a skilled Finance & Systems Manager to help us to cross our I’s, dot our T’s, manage our finance function (and that of our corporate trusteeships) and oversee the planning, implementation and maintenance of our information systems.

The Finance & Systems Manager role is a brilliant opportunity to make a powerful, meaningful and long-lasting contribution to our communities and will play a significant role in supporting Nīkau’s mission of growing generosity to support the people and places of Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui the Greater Wellington region, forever. 

Job Summary: 

The Finance and Systems Manager role is responsible for the finance function for Nīkau Foundation and our corporate trusteeships, including the Michael & Suzanne Borrin Foundation (operational) and The Mark Dunajtschik Foundation (not yet operational). This includes providing support and advice to the CEO to ensure the Foundations are managed appropriately and successfully.  

This role is also responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and maintenance of our information systems (e.g. Xero, Salesforce) to ensure they are efficient, secure, and aligned with our operational goals.   

Roles and responsibilities: 

Leadership  

• Provide leadership to the finance team and others, when needed. Provide sound judgement and strategic input into the annual and long-term plan. Develop and drive a financial strategy for the success of current and future growth opportunities.  

Finance   

• Oversee monthly calculations of the fund's performance and fees, and monthly allocations of these to each fund. Calculate each fund’s amounts available for distribution annually from each fund in accordance our distribution policy. 

• Oversee the General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Payroll. Ensure bill and grants payments, invoicing and payroll are accurate, timely and in compliance with board and management delegations. Keep the General Ledger and subledgers up to date, and the balance sheet accounts reconciled regularly.  

• Prepare annual budgets, engaging with staff, stakeholders, and investment managers as required. Create forecasts as needed.  

• Support the team and stakeholders with any financial queries or reports.

• Calculate Nīkau's operating reserves and manage cash flows in accordance with the Treasury and Reserves Policies.  

Reporting  

• Provide reports to each Board and Audit, Risk, Investment and Compliance (ARIC) meeting, quarterly finance reports to the Borrin Grants and Scholarships Committee, annual fund statements to donors and annual performance reports for filing with Charities Services. Attend Board/Subcommittee meetings to present reports.  

• Prepare annual financial statements and reporting and provide oversight and input for the SSP and Annual Report.  

Risk management and compliance   

• Maintain oversight of financial risks and report to the Board and ARIC on any shifts in risk levels or the identification of new risks.  

• Ensure the organisations comply with all applicable rules and regulations. Oversee and ensure all statutory returns, along with any required payments, are produced in an accurate and timely manner, including but not limited to: GST returns, PAYE returns, Charities Services returns, Stats NZ surveys.  

• Prepare and review delegations, policies, and procedures as required. Ensure compliance with all responsibilities within the policies across the organisations.  

Performance and growth  

• Work with the CEO to nurture and expand our relationships with wealth management firms.   

• Oversee quarterly investment performance analysis and reporting based on the reports supplied by the investment managers. Provide oversight and leadership in relation to the Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives (SIPO) and Responsible Investments policy. Report to ARIC and Board, attend investment managers’ meetings, and engage with investment managers as and when needed.      

Audit  

• Lead the annual audit to ensure an unqualified audit report is achieved. Liaise with auditors on all relevant matters during the year and at year-end.  

Grants    

• Provide oversight over the Suzanne & Michael Borrin Foundation grants tracking and ensure that grants are approved in accordance with delegations. Provide the Grants and Scholarships Committee (GSC) with grant reports detailing grant amounts approved, committed, and paid.  

• Provide oversight/undertake due diligence in line with Nīkau’s commitment to being a sound kaitiaki of generosity.  

IT and cyber  

• Oversee the relationship with external IT managers, monitor their performance, and support with updates to the IT plan when needed.   

• Champion cyber security, ensuring staff are trained, and risks are minimised.     

Systems   

• Support Nīkau’s ongoing growth by providing strategic and operational input into systems development (e.g. Salesforce) to improve compliance, reporting, and productivity.   

Digital Transformation   

• Work with the Marketing and Communications Manager, as required, to support the delivery of our 3-year digital transformation programme, assisting with Salesforce implementation and other finance-related system improvements.   

What we are looking for: 

• CA/CPA qualifications

• Strong financial skills, including accounting knowledge and experience  

• Excellent skills in data analytics and forecasting, supported by sound judgement and problem solving with the ability to communicate financial information in a transparent and clear manner  

• Strong understanding of financial controls, risk management, procedures, and best practices  

• Strong understanding of systems (Xero and Salesforce), IT and cyber.   

• Good understanding of new technology and AI applications.    

• Supportive and collaborative member of the executive management team, ability to guide sound decision making and continuous business improvement  

• High integrity and professionalism   

• Works well with others and is comfortable operating in a small team   

• Ability to foster positive long-term relationships with key stakeholders  

• A self-starter

• Ability to meet deadlines and work independently   

• Confident in reporting to the Board and ARIC and participating in their decision making.

About Nīkau Foundation:

Established in 1991, Nīkau Foundation has a mission to grow generosity to support the people and places of Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, the Greater Wellington region, forever. Nīkau is one of 18 community foundations giving back to their local communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.    

Nīkau Foundation is also honoured to be the trustee of the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation, and the future guardian of the Mark Dunajtschik Foundation. In 2025, Nīkau Foundation celebrated reaching the milestone of $10,000,000 in transformative community funding. We are the kaitiaki of $40.1 million. Combined with our trusteeships, we currently manage over $90 million with a significant pipeline of growth forecast for the future.   

Over the last few years, we have focused on structuring and investing in ourselves so that we can scale and be fit for the future. As a result, we have a high performing team, backed by robust systems and processes. Currently, we are also driving a number of new major projects for the organisation, including digital transformation which will significantly impact on how we work in future. 

The nuts and bolts:

• 20-hours a week 

• $140,000 p.a. pro-rated ($70,000) 

• Applications close at 4pm on Friday 30th of January 2026 

• For more information or any questions, please contact em@nikaufoundation.nz (please note that any enquiries will be responded to after the 26th of Jan).

To apply, please submit your C.V. and Cover Letter via our Seek listing here.