Are you an experienced senior leader who can bring together finance, people, technology, facilities, and organisational performance? Do you thrive on improving systems, building high-performing teams, and providing strategic advice that helps an organisation achieve its goals?

The University of Canterbury Students’ Association (UCSA) is looking for an exceptional Head of Finance, People & Technology to join their Senior Leadership Team and help lead the next chapter of the organisation’s success. This is a rare opportunity to influence strategy across multiple business functions while contributing to a purpose-driven organisation focused on student success and belonging.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this is a critical senior leadership role responsible for enabling organisational performance, sustainability, and transformation across UCSA. You will provide strategic and operational leadership across Finance and Commercial Decision Support, People & Culture, Technology and Digital Systems, Facilities and Asset Management, Health, Safety and Wellbeing, and Organisational Compliance and Continuous Improvement.

Leading the team, you’ll be supported by a finance administrator (FT), Accounts payable/Payroll administrator (FT), HR Manager (PT), IT Coordinator (FT), and a Facilities and Compliance Cordinator (PT) and have knowledge and experience to support and develop this team.

What You’ll Do

Finance Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end finance function and provide trusted financial advice to the Chief Executive and senior leaders.

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management, statutory reporting, audit, taxation, and financial compliance.

• Drive financial insights that support strategic and commercial decision making.

• Ensure robust financial controls, systems, and risk management frameworks are in place.

People & Culture

• Lead and support UCSA’s people strategy, culture, capability development, and organisational change initiatives.

• Partner with leaders across the organisation to build high-performing teams and positive workplace experiences.

• Oversee recruitment, workforce planning, learning and development, engagement initiatives, and employment practices.

Technology

• Lead the development and execution of UCSA’s technology strategy.

• Drive digital transformation, process improvements, systems integration, automation, and data governance.

• Ensure technology investments deliver value, scalability, security, and improved service delivery.

Facilities, Compliance & H&S

• Provide strategic oversight of facilities, physical assets, regulatory compliance and health & safety.

• Champion a proactive safety culture and future-focused systems.

About You

• Significant senior leadership experience in finance, shared services, or corporate services functions.

• Strong financial management, budgeting, reporting, and analytical capability.

• Proven background in People & Culture leadership at a senior level.

• Experience overseeing technology systems and digital transformation initiatives.

• Strong understanding of governance, risk, compliance, and organisational performance.

• Excellent relationship management, communication, and influencing skills.

• A tertiary qualification and professional qualification in Accounting, Business Management, or a related discipline.

About UCSA

Established in 1894, UCSA is a registered charitable not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping students succeed and belong. Governed by an elected Student Executive and supported by more than 300 staff, they provide a wide range of services including advocacy, welfare support, dental and optometry services, early learning centres, clubs support, events, media, hospitality venues, and other commercial activities that help fund their mission.