CEO

Brannigans Consulting Limited; Auckland; On-site; NZD 250,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

ChristchurchNZ, the economic development agency for Ōtautahi Christchurch, seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead growth sectors, investment attraction, business growth, and workforce development. The role reports to the Board and influences investors, government, and media to deliver value to the city.

You will manage a high performing team in a carefully funded environment, balancing strategic priorities with commercial objectives and external revenue growth.

Responsibilities

• Providing leadership that inspires, enables and empowers a high performing team
• Realising sustained economic development across the city's priority growth sectors
• Setting and achieving financial, commercial and organisational objectives, including growth in external revenue
• Building strategic partnerships across the shareholder and wider Council group, mana whenua, business and tourism leaders, central government and the city's tertiary institutions

Job description

Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand's second largest city, is having a moment. Years of vision, investment and renewal have created a city with world-class venues, a bustling centre, and surging business confidence. The city's economic strategy is anchored in high-productivity sectors driving future growth that’s good for business, good for people and good for the planet. Christchurch is the gateway to New Zealand’s stunning South Island. Sitting between the mountains and the sea, Christchurch has nature at its backdoor while residents also enjoy the buzz and nightlife of the city. ChristchurchNZ is seeking a Chief Executive Officer who can lead the city’s next stage of growth alongside its people, partners and businesses. Few leadership roles in New Zealand offer the chance to shape a future economy for a city with momentum.

Our Client

ChristchurchNZ is the economic development agency for New Zealand's second largest city. We bring jobs, people and investment to Christchurch and help grow a stronger economy. On behalf of its shareholder, Christchurch City Council, ChristchurchNZ helps create a more vibrant, wealthier city where there are greater employment, business and lifestyle opportunities. For more information go to www.christchurchnz.com

The Role

Reporting to the Board, you will lead the organisation entrusted with supporting the economic development of Ōtautahi Christchurch. The growth sectors are accelerating and the momentum is real. Through an integrated programme spanning investment attraction, business growth and workforce development across the city, alongside the business events, major events, tourism and city promotion activity that ensures Ōtautahi Christchurch is a place people want to live, work and invest in. You will do this in a carefully managed funding environment, which requires confident choices about where the organisation concentrates its effort and a compelling case for the value it returns to the city. The external mandate is equally significant as the voice of ChristchurchNZ to investors, central government and media.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership that inspires, enables and empowers a high performing team
• Realising sustained economic development across the city's priority growth sectors
• Setting and achieving financial, commercial and organisational objectives, including growth in external revenue
• Building strategic partnerships across your shareholder and the wider Council group, mana whenua, business and tourism leaders, central government and the city's tertiary institutions

Your Skills and Experience

To succeed in this role, you will bring significant leadership experience, mana and a proven ability to turn investment and commercial opportunity to reality. You will understand private sector dynamics and can see where growth and investment opportunities sit, with the gravitas to influence potential investors and business leaders. An understanding of how an organisation like ChristchurchNZ is funded, governed and the judgement to be accountable to the shareholder and stakeholders will also be critical.

To view the position description: https://bit.ly/4xACkWu

Initial confidential enquiries are welcome by phoning Sally Wynn-Williams on 027 478 5554 or Nick Carter on 027 591 3422.

Applications close 5pm 21 September 2026