Financial Controller

Join New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty—where pace meets precision.
We're seeking a dynamic Financial Controller to help drive excellence across a premium, multi-entity real estate brand. This is a rare opportunity to step into a newly created role within a company that values strategic thinking, operational rigour, and bold growth. If you thrive in fast-moving environments and bring sharp financial acumen with a collaborative mindset, we want to hear from you.

This role will be pivotal within the Senior Management Team (SMT), responsible for driving financial performance, ensuring compliance, and enabling strategic growth in a fast-paced environment.

This position is based in Queenstown, NZSIR Head Office and is full time on site.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership
• Develop and implement financial planning tools, models, and reporting frameworks
• Prepare board packs and insights that support data-driven decision-making and business growth

• Partner with Directors, Commercial Manager and indirectly with both the BRE COO & GM of Franchise to shape financial strategy across the group

• Audit & Compliance Oversight

• Design and maintain an internal audit process across all entities

• Ensure accounts are auditable, compliant, and subject to regular best practice reviews pertaining to upholding the operating standard relating to financial governance & NZSIR brand standards

• Team & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and mentor the Management Accountant and broader finance team
• Build a robust, progressive relationship with the Commercial Manager in order to support him in providing key data and metrics to the Directors and Board
• Ensure critical relevant financial analysis / data is available for SMT / Director's review
• Support each entity with reviews and strategy sessions relating to financial deliverables for each individual business entity
• To create financial reports and detail that will provide each business manager to future plan effectively, strategically and within key timeframes and with confidence

• Coordinate with external practice services and contractors

• Operational Excellence

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations across multiple entities
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
• Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes, and controls

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior finance leader in a multi-entity environment
• Strong understanding of New Zealand GST, tax compliance, and Australian business practices (preferable)
• Skilled in financial modelling, planning tools, and board-level reporting
• Highly organised, fast-paced, and capable of managing a varied workload
• Commercially curious, detail-oriented, and data-driven
• Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to team development and cross-functional engagement
• Leadership and critical thinking skills

Key Attributes:

• Strong leadership and mentoring capability across finance teams
• Expertise in financial modelling, board reporting, and audit frameworks
• Knowledge of NZ GST, tax compliance, and Australian business practices
• High attention to detail with a curious, data-driven mindset
• Comfortable managing competing priorities across multiple entities
• Collaborative communicator with a strategic lens

Experience Profile:

• 5+ years in senior finance roles, ideally within real estate or multi-entity businesses
• CA/CPA qualified (or equivalent)
• Demonstrated success in leading finance transformation or system improvement
• Experience preparing board packs and advising senior leadership

Remote working cannot be supported for this role.