New Zealand's Central Bank Is Hiring a Money Futurist

Money futurists with a flair for central banking, take note: The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is hiring.

New Zealand’s monetary authority is looking for a “Head of Money and Cash,” a new position that will, according to a May 5 job posting, be “focused on the future of money.” The new role will be a digital currency specialist who can speak to trends reshaping financial infrastructure – “online payments and digital currencies” – and provide “thought leadership around the future of cash and money.”

What the job entails is up for debate, but that seems to be the point. This “Cash Czar” will oversee an entire division of wonks pondering physical cash security, infrastructure and other monied areas “from a holistic and policy perspective.”

“This is a time of change for both the Reserve Bank and the global market transforming the demand and use of physical cash,” RBNZ wrote in the job description. “New and emerging forms of digital payments are here to stay and the method in which people pay for things is changing rapidly.” 

That theme of change has only accelerated through COVID-19, with more businesses becoming weary of physical banknote exchange and digital payments, already on the rise in some countries, taking on even greater importance. 

Read more: BIS Researchers Say Coronavirus Could Spur Central Banks to Adopt Digital Payments

With its new Head of Money, RBNZ appears to be taking steps to avoid getting left behind. 

“This role will be at the forefront of these changes and will ensure that we are well positioned to ensure we continue to provide leadership, guardianship and access to cash and money for all New Zealanders.”

Applications are being accepted through May 25.