Lead, Data Analytics

Haere Mai!

We are the Kaitiaki / Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation. We are proud of our Te Whāinga / Our purpose: Sustainable investment delivering strong returns for all New Zealanders. We invest government contributions to the NZ Super Fund, a global investment fund helping to ensure the country can pay for the growing cost of universal superannuation (New Zealand Superannuation) in the future. We also oversee the Elevate Fund, which invests in small, fast-growing New Zealand companies.

At the Guardians there’s an energy, passion and a shared commitment to excellence: in 2024 the NZ Super Fund was named the world’s best-performing sovereign wealth fund. The work is complex, innovative and intellectually stimulating. Sustainable finance, including a commitment to being net zero by 2050, is core to our Mātāpono / way of working.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Data Analytics, you will lead the Data Analytics team, the Investment Group's centre of excellence in advanced analytics, quantitative modelling and AI. The team builds scalable, production-ready models and tools that improve investment decision making, and promotes best practice across the organisation to reduce risk and create value.

This is a collaborative leadership role. You will set priorities, allocate work and lead large-scale analytics projects from concept through to final reporting, while acting as a technical lead and trusted adviser to teams across Investments and the wider organisation.

You will work closely with IT, Data Technology and Data Services, and support citizen developers, report builders and data consumers to build capability across the Guardians.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the Data Analytics team to meet the needs of the business
• Lead the development of new quantitative and AI models and tools for strategic investment priorities
• Prioritise and allocate work across the team, balancing user needs, strategic objectives, value and resourcing
• Lead and manage analytics projects and algorithm design, from methodology through to delivery, documentation and ongoing support, setting development standards and best practice
• Provide strategic advice to Investments teams on using data and technology to strengthen investment capability, improve efficiency and reduce operational risk, translating technical analysis into clear advice for staff and leadership
• Lead cross-functional projects to solve complex problems, working with IT, Data Technology and Data Services
• Educate and support citizen developers, data explorers, report builders and report consumers

Desired Skills & Experience

• Significant experience (7+ years) applying advanced quantitative techniques in a discipline such as statistics, data science or financial engineering, ideally in finance, investment banking or asset management
• Proven track record of delivering statistical, econometric or advanced analytical models, including AI, into production
• Strong commercial acumen, critical thinking and negotiation skills
• Expertise across a range of data analysis, coding and development tools, with sound knowledge of data collection, validation and coding practices
• Ability to solve difficult and non-routine problems with insight and creativity, including where there is no clear precedent
• Strong relationship management and a focus on leading projects effectively in a team environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including explaining technical solutions to non-technical audiences and non-technical needs to technical audiences
• Collegial, constructive approach, with the ability to build internal and external relationships
• Knowledge of investment concepts, portfolio construction and investment execution would be an advantage, but is not essential.

What we offer

• A dynamic, exciting place to work with a team united by our common purpose of sustainable investment delivering strong returns for all New Zealanders.
• Competitive remuneration package including base salary, discretionary bonus programme, and up to 8% KiwiSaver matching.
• World class professional development, career pathways and job rotation opportunities.
• Comprehensive leave and benefits programme including strong parental leave package and insurance cover.
• Flexible and accessible work environment that reflects our commitment to equity and an inclusive team.

How to apply:

We encourage and welcome applications from people with diverse experience, including applicants interested in discussing flexible work options and those with specific disability needs. As a proudly committed equal opportunity employer, we challenge discrimination and actively work to eliminate bias in our hiring practices. Diversity of experience and diversity of background help us to solve complex problems and deliver on our purpose.

We recognise the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and invest in partnership with a range of Iwi/Māori organisations. We warmly welcome and value Mana Whenua who wish to work with us. We are committed to understanding Te Ao Māori and integrating it into our workplace culture, for the benefit of all future generations in Aotearoa.

To be considered for this position, please contact Claire Gibson Stuart - Partner, Technology, Transformation & Change at Convergence Partners on 027 444 2142 or email [email protected].

We are partnering with Convergence Partners for this role so please apply as above, we will not be reviewing direct applications.