Data Specialist (24 month FTC)

KPMG New Zealand is part of the global KPMG network, one of the world’s leading professional services firms. They run audit, tax and advisory services for individuals, SMEs, multinationals and government agencies. Locally, the firm is known for a values-driven culture and strong staff engagement, guided by Integrity, Courage, Excellence, Together, for Better, with a purpose to fuel New Zealand’s prosperity. The Data Specialist role sits on a full-time fixed-term 24-month contract in Auckland, with a hybrid working setup that mixes office time, client work and remote periods.

The Data Specialist will help ensure KPMG operates as a data-driven, insights-led organisation. The team builds and supports data solutions that enable reliable reporting, business process automation, operational integrations and analytics across the firm. The data platform underpins a wide range of functions, including data engineering, cloud data platforms, operational data services, data integrations, semantic models, Power BI reporting and trusted data products. You’ll contribute to modernising the data estate and moving from traditional data operations toward a cloud-enabled, governed, AI-ready platform. You’ll work with modern data technologies such as Azure SQL, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI and related cloud services, while keeping current data services reliable. You’ll also help lift data governance, quality, lineage and security, so data is trusted for reporting, integrations, automation and future AI-enabled use cases.

If you enjoy combining hands-on data engineering with governance, collaboration and the opportunity to shape the data landscape, this role could be a strong fit.

Shaping data into trusted insights

On a day-to-day basis you’ll design, build and maintain data pipelines, integrations, databases and analytical models that underpin business insights. You’ll implement modern ETL and ELT patterns across cloud platforms, leveraging Azure, Databricks, SQL and related services, and bring data from a mix of internal systems, APIs, files, cloud services and vendor platforms into a cohesive, accessible layer. You’ll develop curated data products used by semantic models, Power BI reports and downstream integrations, while supporting operational workloads and reference data needs. You’ll produce analytics-ready datasets and BI solutions that yield accurate, timely insights, and you’ll contribute to data governance practices around data quality, lineage, access controls and metadata. You’ll work with Azure DevOps to manage code, deployments and change control, and you’ll partner with business stakeholders, tech teams, data consumers and external vendors to translate requirements into reliable, scalable data solutions. Finally, you’ll monitor and optimise existing processes to improve performance, security and supportability as the platform evolves.

What you bring to the data team

Must-haves

• Strong cloud data engineering experience, ideally within the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, and a track record across modern data platforms
• Hands-on work building data pipelines and integrations with tools such as Azure Data Factory, Databricks, PySpark, Python, SQL, SSIS or similar
• Understanding of traditional SQL Server, SSIS, data warehouse patterns and operational data, with openness to migrating workloads to cloud-based architectures
• Confidence with SQL Server and Azure SQL, including T-SQL development, stored procedures, views, indexing, relational modelling and performance tuning
• Interest in or experience with modern platform capabilities like Databricks, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI semantic models and governed data products
• Experience integrating data from multiple sources, APIs, files, databases, cloud services, vendor platforms and internal systems
• Comfort working through platform transitions, maintaining operational processes while implementing improvements in engineering, governance and delivery practices
• Experience with Azure DevOps, source control, release processes and deployment practices
• Ability to work with business stakeholders, technology teams and external vendors to turn requirements into reliable, scalable data solutions
• Pragmatic, curious and collaborative; able to balance modernisation with keeping critical processes stable
• This role suits someone who works across both current-state and future-state platforms, maintaining today’s data services while contributing to a cloud data engineering journey, trusted analytics and AI-ready capabilities

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity or hands-on interest in platforms such as Databricks, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Microsoft Fabric, and Power BI semantic models, with an eye toward governed data products
• Any exposure to AI-enabled data use cases and governance frameworks that align with a modern data estate

Benefits, schedule and practical details

The role is hybrid and will balance time between office, client work and home hubs to accommodate different needs and preferences. While pay details aren’t disclosed here, the position is described as full time on a 24-month fixed-term contract. In addition, KPMG offers a broad range of benefits to support life balance, help you grow, and recognise your contributions. You’ll have access to the firm’s annual incentive scheme, opportunities for local and international secondments, and the flexibility to work from overseas for extended periods. Flexible leave options include the ability to purchase extra annual leave, and there is 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave for all new parents. The firm provides a paid professional association membership of your choice, digital accreditations through partnerships with Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning, and learning pathways for all employees. There are extensive health and wellness benefits, including free flu vaccinations, subsidised sporting events, confidential counselling services and Wellbeing leave, plus access to a Wellbeing portal and other resources. The Green Team focuses on reducing the firm’s environmental footprint with a goal to become carbon zero by 2030. The organisation supports social clubs, volunteering and citizenship activities, and offers a range of discounts on insurances, banking and lifestyle services. Inclusion, Diversity and Equity networks and groups including Kiwa, Pride, Ethnicity, Accessibility and Wahine are active, with a broad commitment to belonging and opportunity for all staff.

KPMG values diversity in the workforce and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply, including those who identify as neurodivergent or who have disabilities or additional health needs. If accessibility barriers arise during recruitment or if you need support to participate, you can email Emma at [email protected]. For general questions about the role or recruitment process, you can reach the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

KPMG emphasises that the company’s aim is to be recognised as an employer of choice for all, with a focus on inclusion and career growth. They invite you to explore opportunities to grow, thrive and belong at the firm.

Tips to stand out in your application

Put your Azure and cloud data engineering experience up front. In your resume, highlight concrete projects where you built data pipelines with Azure Data Factory, Databricks, PySpark, Python or SQL, and note the outcomes you achieved in terms of reliability, scalability or speed.

Show how you’ve delivered data products that feed semantic models, Power BI reports or downstream integrations. Include metrics or examples that demonstrate data quality improvements, governance outcomes and faster time to insight.

Be ready to discuss how you’ve balanced modernization with keeping essential business processes stable. Have a concise story about working with stakeholders and vendors to design, deploy and operate data solutions that still meet current needs.

Prepare a thoughtful question for the interview, for example about how the team prioritises AI-enabled data use cases or how governance adapts as the platform evolves with tools like Microsoft Fabric and Delta Lake.

How to apply

Recruitment for this role is handled directly by the KPMG Talent Acquisition team. They will engage preferred agency partners if required. To come aboard, you can reach the team at [email protected], and for accessibility support you can email [email protected].