Drive excellence. Lead change. Lift capability.
Are you a detail-driven finance professional who thrives on improving systems, building capability, and leading high-performing teams? Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu – New Zealand’s largest state school – is looking for an experienced Team Leader – Payables to play a critical role in strengthening financial operations and leading a future-focused accounts payable function.
About Te Kura:
At Te Kura, ākonga (students) are at the heart of everything we do. We deliver personalised, online learning programmes to over 24,000 learners across Aotearoa – anytime, anywhere, anyone. Our purpose is to empower ākonga to reach their full potential and become active contributors in their communities.
As an organisation deeply committed to equity, excellence, and innovation, we are on a journey to strengthen our systems and uplift the capability of our teams – and we’re looking for a finance leader who’s ready to drive that transformation in payables.
About the Role:
This is not just a transactional leadership role. As Team Leader – Payables, you will lead a small but vital team responsible for accurate financial processing, compliance with accounting standards, and excellent customer service. You’ll work closely with finance and business teams to ensure our systems and processes are fit for purpose, user-friendly, and continuously improving.
You will bring an analytical mind and a strong eye for detail to ensure internal controls are robust, financial systems are optimised, and staff are supported to grow and develop. This role plays a key part in enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and transparency of Te Kura’s financial operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, coach, and develop the accounts payable team to lift capability and support career development
- Oversee daily financial transactions, payment runs, and banking activity
- Ensure data integrity and compliance across financial management systems
- Identify and implement system and process improvements across payables and related tools (e.g. FlexiPurchase)
- Provide expert support and clear communication to stakeholders across Te Kura
- Develop training materials, documentation, and user guides to support system literacy
- Collaborate on financial tool enhancements through user testing and feedback loops
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience in accounts payable and financial operations leadership
- Strong understanding of GST, accounting standards and financial controls
- Confidence in identifying, mapping, and improving financial processes
- Technical proficiency with FMIS systems (Microsoft Dynamics Business Central a plus) and Excel
- Experience with expense management systems such as FlexiPurchase
- Exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent communication skills – especially translating finance for non-financial stakeholders
- A commitment to Te Kura’s values, including cultural responsiveness and equity for ākonga Māori and Pacific learners
Why Te Kura?
Join a future-focused organisation where your leadership can make a genuine impact. You’ll be part of a collaborative and values-driven finance team, working to create systems that support learning and wellbeing for thousands of learners across Aotearoa. This is your opportunity to shape the future of financial operations in an organisation where equity and empowerment are more than just words.
Apply now and help us build stronger systems, better processes, and a more capable team – all in support of Te Kura’s mission to transform lives through learning.
To find out more, please get in touch with Peter Campbell on 0272013755 for a confidential chat.
To apply for this vacancy you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.
At the appropriate stage we will request your references, we ask that you do not include them on your CV when applying.
At Tribe we have our guiding light to show us the way. We bring our whole selves to work. We encourage inclusion in every single interaction. We genuinely care about people and are curious about their stories. We celebrate all points of view. We will help you find your tribe, the same way we have. We’re all on a journey together so come along…
