Senior Financial Advisor

About the Role

The New Zealand Financial Benchmark Facility Limited (NZFBF) seeks a Senior Adviser based in Wellington, preferably onsite. NZFBF is committed to providing reliable, transparent, and well-managed financial benchmarks that uphold market integrity. As the regulatory landscape evolves and market conditions shift, this senior role aims to enhance leadership strength with a seasoned professional.

Role Overview

Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Senior Adviser takes a central role in ensuring the leadership and stability of NZFBF. Responsibilities include offering strategic counsel, supporting benchmark governance, and ensuring compliance with licensing and regulatory standards.

This position functions as a senior escalation point, contributes to daily operational activities, and can lead the organisation in the General Manager's absence. Success in the role requires building and maintaining strong relationships within a specialised, small team environment, blending hands-on execution with high-level leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the General Manager with overall NZFBF management and serve as acting leader when necessary.
• Advise strategically on benchmark priorities along with emerging risks and opportunities.
• Ensure the precise and timely calculation and publication of the NZFBF’s suite of benchmarks.
• Monitor performance against key performance indicators, governance standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Support adherence to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) benchmark administrator licensing regime.
• Enhance governance, control measures, documentation, and assurance frameworks.
• Help manage and reduce risks associated with key personnel.
• Support or chair committees and working groups where appropriate.
• Develop strong relationships with stakeholders such as the FMA, Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), NZFMA, contributors, brokers, benchmark users, and international administrators.
• Represent NZFBF in meetings, forums, and other external engagements.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in wholesale financial markets, with a strong focus on interest rate products.
• In-depth knowledge of financial benchmarks, including their design, application, and governance under New Zealand regulations like Schedule 28 FMC Regulations, FMC Act 2013, and IOSCO Principles for Financial Benchmarks.
• Demonstrated experience working with Boards, committees, and working groups.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, particularly in the context of policy and regulatory documentation.
• Credibility and confidence in engaging regulators, market participants, and industry organisations.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience working within or alongside a benchmark administrator.
• Familiarity with engaging international market or regulatory entities.
• Ability to juggle operational responsibilities with strategic leadership demands.

Personal Qualities

• Exhibit high judgement, professionalism, and discretion.
• Collaborative and team-oriented working style.
• Willingness to be hands-on as needed.
• Comfortable navigating operational, regulatory, and strategic areas with confidence.

Why Join NZFBF?

Joining NZFBF means becoming part of a close-knit, specialised, and social organisation that plays an essential role in New Zealand's financial markets. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply their expertise to significantly impact market integrity, support regulatory trust, and contribute to the future shaping of benchmark administration in Aotearoa.