General Manager Finance

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Auckland

Job Category: Accounting & Finance

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao.

‘The bird who eats the miro berry, the forest is their domain. The bird who consumes knowledge, the (whole) world is their domain.’

Ready to lead the finance team to excellence with a forward thinking financial strategy? Reporting to the CFO, as GM Finance at Skills Group, you’ll be at the heart of our journey to become a $200M+ Group by 2030 - leading financial excellence across our multi-entity group and championing a future-fit, insights-driven culture. With $20M of investment planned and exciting growth initiatives underway, you’ll help us achieve these business goals with operational excellence.

At Skills, we believe empowering one person in a business empowers many. As New Zealand’s largest private training establishment, we’re dedicated to unlocking human potential through lifelong learning. With over 20,000 learners annually and a growing international presence, we deliver education that transforms lives, industries, and communities.

You’ll join a team that doesn’t just do finance - we lead with heart and head. Our culture is powered by our Vital Signs: Joy. Manaakitanga. Grow. Bold

Job Description

This role is for you if:

• You thrive on brining financial excellence that enables business success.
• You’re a natural at maximising systems and processes, leading teams, and making complex things simple.
• You know your way around multi-entity financials, government funding, and capital planning—but you also love leading transformation.
• You believe finance should drive performance and unlock potential, not just balance the books.
  
  

What you’ll do:

• Set the strategic direction for financial operations, governance, and performance across Skills Group’s diverse businesses.
• Lead long-range financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and scenario modelling aligned to our four strategic imperatives: Life-Long Learning, Digital-Driven Business, Inspirational Environment, and Diversification of Revenue.
• Build robust funding and compliance frameworks to support domestic and international growth, including government funding optimisation.
• Drive capital planning, treasury management, and working capital management strategies.
• Champion digital transformation in finance and uplift financial acumen across the organisation.
• Act as the CFO’s delegate - representing Skills Group with external stakeholders and bringing commercial credibility and strategic insight to every conversation.
• Lead and grow a high-performing finance team and strengthen business partnering across all levels.
• Champion our culture of Joy, Manaakitanga, Bold, and Grow, to develop a team that thrives on delivering results.
  
  

Desired Skills And Experience

What you’ll bring:

• Chartered Accountant (CA/CPA) qualification and a relevant degree in Accounting or Finance (MBA preferred).
• At least 10 years in financial management, including 5+ in senior leadership roles. Big Four experience or similar professional services background is a strong advantage
• Proven success in steering financial planning across complex, multi-entity environments.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance compliance, performance, and growth.
• Experience in government funding, education sector finance, and/or managing international operations (highly desirable).
• Confidence with financial systems transformation and data-led decision-making.
• Clear communication skills and a deep commitment to integrity, innovation, and impact.
• M&A and due diligence experience
  
  

Why join us?

Benefits

At Skills, our culture is built on our values of Joy, Manaakitanga, Grow, and Bold. We believe in creating a workplace where you feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Along with the chance to join our Auckland campus, you’ll also enjoy a range of employee benefits:

• Health and Wellbeing: Medical insurance, EAP support, and annual flu vaccinations.
• Leave and Flexible Work: Flexible working arrangements, birthday leave, and additional bereavement leave for family.
• Superannuation and Financial: 3% contribution to KiwiSaver, 2% contribution to SuperLife, and a $500 talent referral scheme.
• Learning and Development: Weekly paid learning time, LinkedIn Learning access, and monthly in-house workshops.
  
  

This is a rare opportunity to lead at the intersection of learning, labour, and leadership and help shape a better future of work for Aotearoa.

Ready to lead finance with purpose? Apply now and be part of something extraordinary!