© Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation
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.
We’re looking for an experienced Strategic Relationship Manager to take ownership of some of our most critical investment service partnerships. This is a senior, technically grounded role where you’ll sit at the intersection of investment operations, technology, risk and finance — ensuring our key suppliers continue to enable performance, resilience and innovation at scale.
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Finance & Investment Operations, this role is accountable for the strategic direction, performance and resilience of the Fund’s most important noninvestment manager supplier relationships. These include global partners across custody, asset servicing, order management, asset, data and risk platforms.
You’ll act as the enterprise wide orchestrator for these relationships — providing clear strategic leadership, robust governance and deep technical oversight — while preserving strong day-to-day connections between suppliers and business units.
This is not a transactional vendor role. It’s a strategic, investment focused position requiring credibility with senior leaders, confidence engaging at Board level, and the ability to translate investment and operational priorities into long-term supplier strategies.
What you’ll be responsible for
In this role, you will:
Set and execute the supplier relationship strategy for critical investment service providers
Lead strategic planning, quarterly performance reviews and joint improvement roadmaps
Oversee supplier performance, compliance, resilience and crisis preparedness
Lead supplier risk management and contract governance within the Fund’s risk appetite
Negotiate and manage contracts to protect the Fund’s interests and secure value for money
Identify and enable supplier led innovation that enhances investment and operational outcomes
Manage supplier related operating and capital expenditure budgets
Act as a trusted connector across investment, operations, technology and risk
Provide leadership on supplier related change initiatives and implementations
Champion the Fund’s values and contribute to a strong, constructive culture
About you
You’ll bring deep experience in supplier and relationship management within investment operations, custody, data or order management system environments, along with the judgement and confidence to operate in complex, high-stakes settings.
You’re someone who:
Has led strategic supplier relationships in investment, asset management or asset servicing environments
Understands investment operations and can translate business drivers into actionable supplier strategies
Is comfortable influencing at executive and Board level
Stays current with industry and technology trends and can bring others along the change journey
Has delivered largescale supplier or operating model change
Makes sound decisions, even with incomplete information
Brings strong financial, commercial and contract management capability
A relevant tertiary qualification is expected, with additional supplier management or procurement qualifications advantageous.
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.
Please forward your details in strict confidence by clicking 'apply' below.