Advisor (Licensing & Authorisations)

Role overview

This opportunity sits within the Specialist Supervision, Licensing & Authorisations function and focuses on helping shape major regulatory change under the Deposit Takers Act. The team was established in 2023 to build a fresh licensing framework for the new regime and to update how the Reserve Bank handles important authorisations, including changes of control for licensed banks, non-bank deposit takers, and insurers.

What the team does

• Designs the licensing framework for the Deposit Takers Act for existing banks and NBDTs, as well as new organisations seeking deposit-taker status.
• Responds to licensing questions from banks, non-bank deposit takers, and insurers.
• Manages some new licence applications and partners with other teams that lead assessments for other application types.
• Runs the restricted word regime, which limits the use of terms such as “bank” and “insurer” to licensed entities.
• Carries out first-pass review and follow-up on possible breaches of the regulatory perimeter, including referrals where unlicensed banking or insurance activity may be occurring.

Your role

• Lead workstreams that support the rollout of new licensing and authorisations processes under both the Deposit Takers Act and the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act.
• Help ensure new licence applications and authorisation requests can be lodged, assessed, and decided under the new frameworks.
• Work closely with the Licensing Team, the DTA Project Team, and other involved groups to drive successful implementation.
• Take responsibility for day-to-day management of the restricted word regimes for banks, NBDTs, and insurers, including early-stage assessment of possible unlicensed activity.
• Handle new licence applications from the initial enquiry through to full assessment.
• Support and mentor a Senior Analyst, including their output and professional development.

About you

You are likely to bring experience from a supervisory authority or from a bank, insurer, or another financial institution. You should understand prudential regulation as it applies to banks and/or insurers, and be comfortable using analysis and creative problem-solving to drive change. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is a proven ability to work well with internal and external stakeholders. You’ll also enjoy working at the forefront of a major new regulatory development and contributing meaningfully to frameworks that will shape deposit takers for years to come.

Who we are

We act as guardians of New Zealand’s financial system, helping support economic wellbeing and prosperity for all New Zealanders. Our work includes providing money and cash, supporting price stability and employment, maintaining safe banking, and helping underpin the financial system that enables people and businesses to spend, save, insure, and operate. We value integrity, innovation, inclusion, diversity, and knowledge of Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti, and Tikanga.

What we offer

The Reserve Bank offers a supportive and inclusive workplace with flexible working and a range of benefits. These include extra leave options, a wellness package, a home-working equipment subsidy, generous parental leave, learning and development opportunities, and access to social, networking, and sporting activities.

The expected salary range for this position is between $155,629 and $168,598, with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

Additional information

We encourage applications from all people and are committed to making the recruitment process accessible and equitable. If you face any barriers to applying, or need support or adjustments because of access requirements, you can contact recruitment@rbnz.govt.nz.

The application deadline is midnight on Friday, 3 July 2026. A cover letter is required, and it should explain why you believe you are a strong match for the position. The information you provide should be genuine and personal, even with the increasing use of AI.