Business Innovation and Growth Manager

Trust Tāirawhiti; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Trust Tairāwhiti is seeking a visionary Business Innovation and Growth Manager to steer programmes that help local businesses innovate, grow and thrive across Tairāwhiti. You will lead a high-performing team, manage partnerships with government, iwi and industry, and drive workforce development through initiatives like the Regional Business Partner Network and Te Ara Mahi.

This is a senior role reporting to the GM Economic Development, with travel as required.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification in business, economic development, management or a related discipline.
• Senior leadership, business development, economic development, innovation or workforce development experience.
• Strong programme and contract management experience, including delivery against KPIs, funding requirements and reporting obligations.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, with the ability to build, coach and lead high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills across government, industry, iwi and community sectors.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Sound understanding of business growth, innovation, workforce development and regional economic development.
• Strong analytical, communication and reporting skills, including the ability to translate data and insights into action.
• Experience identifying opportunities, influencing decision-making and driving continuous improvement.
• Cultural competency in Te Ao Māori and experience building effective relationships with iwi, hapū, whānau and diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of regional programmes including the Regional Business Partner Network, Te Ara Mahi and other workforce development initiatives.
• Lead a high-performing team and foster stakeholder relationships with government, industry, iwi, and business community.
• Identify and implement initiatives to support productive, sustainable, innovative and inclusive business growth across Tairāwhiti.
• Oversee Trust’s customer relationship management with Callaghan Innovation and provide economic insights for decision-making.
• Contribute to wider economic development priorities and investment opportunities across the region.
• Collaborate with the GM Economic Development on delivering strategic priorities.

Skills

People leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Contract management

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Communication

Continuous improvement

Cultural competency Te Ao Māori

Education

Relevant qualification in business, economic development, management or related discipline

Job description

This is an exciting leadership opportunity to drive business growth, innovation and workforce development across Tairāwhiti.

About the Trust

Trust Tairāwhiti is the regional community trust with a strategic focus on economic development, community initiatives and investment that support the wellbeing of our people and place. Our aspiration is for a region of Te Mana – Shared Pride, Te Ihi – Shared Prosperity, and Te Wehi – Shared Opportunity, where our people and communities can live the lives we value.

About the opportunity

This is an exciting leadership opportunity to drive business growth, innovation and workforce development across Tairāwhiti.

As Business Innovation and Growth Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for programmes and initiatives that support businesses to innovate, grow and thrive. You will lead the delivery of key regional programmes including the Regional Business Partner Network, Te Ara Mahi and other workforce development initiatives, ensuring strong outcomes for businesses, communities and the wider regional economy.

You will lead a high-performing team, foster strong stakeholder relationships, and work closely with government agencies, industry groups, service providers, iwi, and the business community to identify and implement initiatives that support productive, sustainable, innovative and inclusive business growth across Tairāwhiti.

You will also lead the Trust’s customer relationship management responsibilities for Callaghan Innovation, provide economic insights to inform decision-making, and contribute to wider economic development priorities and investment opportunities across the region.

Reporting to the GM Economic Development, this role plays a key part in delivering on the Trust’s strategic priorities, our wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora, and regional economic development outcomes.

What will you bring

• To be successful in this role, you will ideally bring:
• A relevant qualification in business, economic development, management or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in a senior leadership, business development, economic development, innovation or workforce development role.
• Strong programme and contract management experience, including delivery against KPIs, funding requirements and reporting obligations.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, with the ability to build, coach and lead high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills across government, industry, iwi and community sectors.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Sound understanding of business growth, innovation, workforce development and regional economic development.
• Strong analytical, communication and reporting skills, including the ability to translate data and insights into action.
• Experience identifying opportunities, influencing decision-making and driving continuous improvement.
• Cultural competency in Te Ao Māori and experience building effective relationships with iwi, hapū, whānau and diverse communities.

Why work for us?

Trust Tairāwhiti offers an inclusive, values-led workplace where we take pride in our mahi and our impact. We support flexibility, work/life balance and professional growth, while enjoying the benefits of living and working in Tairāwhiti.

We offer:

• competitive remuneration
• a senior leadership role with significant regional impact
• the opportunity to influence business growth, innovation and workforce development across Tairāwhiti
• a modern, supportive workplace environment.

Note: This role requires travel from time to time.