Chief Digital & Infrastructure Officer

Lincoln University; Lincoln; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln University seeks a Chief Digital and Infrastructure Officer to lead the integration of digital and physical foundations, ensuring cybersecurity, data governance and teaching infrastructure support across the university.

The role reports to the Vice-Chancellor and spans Information and Technology Services and Property Services, driving strategic use of technology in research, teaching and operations.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex organisation.
• Experience leading diverse operational portfolios (technology, property, infrastructure, etc.).
• Proven success leading organisational change and major projects.
• Strong commercial acumen with risk, governance and compliance understanding.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative leadership style aligned with university values.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across the University’s digital and infrastructure portfolio.
• Oversee development, implementation and monitoring of university-wide strategies.
• Ensure assets and property align with teaching, research and partnerships.
• Support high-quality research and teaching infrastructure (labs, farms, equipment).
• Drive continuous improvement with risk management and health & safety.
• Champion commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Skills

Senior leadership

Portfolio leadership

Change management

Risk management

Stakeholder relations

Collaborative leadership

Job description

We were initially linked to Canterbury College and welcomed our first intake of students way back in 1880.In 1896, when agriculture had become well established as the mainstay of New Zealand’s exports, we separated from Canterbury...

Lead the digital and physical foundations of a university focused on unlocking the power of the land.

The opportunity

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University is a specialist university focused on the land-based sectors, with an ambitious vision to be a globally ranked, top-five land-based university, enhancing lives and growing the future.

Its campus sits at the heart of the Lincoln research precinct, complemented by a network of university-owned farms and research centres. Alongside its digital ecosystem, this infrastructure underpins all of Lincoln’s teaching and research.

As Chief Digital and Infrastructure Officer, you will bring these twin foundations together, ensuring networks, cybersecurity, data, information systems, research and teaching infrastructure and property integrate seamlessly to deliver an exceptional experience for students, staff and partners.

Why this role, and why now

• Digital and physical, together. The portfolio spans Information and Technology Services and Property Services, from cybersecurity and data to laboratories and working farms. A breadth few leadership roles can match.
• Technology as a strategic enabler. Data, artificial intelligence, process transformation and digital experience are reshaping the tertiary sector. You will champion their strategic use across research, teaching, learning and operations to maximise the value of technology investment.
• A great place to live and lead. Based at Lincoln’s Te Waihora campus, you will enjoy everything Canterbury has to offer, with mountains, coast and the city of Christchurch all close at hand.

What you’ll lead

Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor, you will provide strategic leadership, oversight and coordination across the University’s digital and infrastructure portfolio. You will:

• Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of University-wide strategies and policies as a collaborative member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide strategic oversight of digital services, including information systems, cybersecurity, and data management and governance.
• Ensure the University’s assets and property are aligned with, and supportive of, its teaching, research, partnership and commercial priorities.
• Support high-quality research and teaching infrastructure, including laboratories, farms, equipment, collections and digital resources.
• Drive continuous improvement while embedding sound risk management, governance, compliance and health and safety across the portfolio.
• Advance the University’s commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

What you’ll bring

• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex organisation, with a track record of influencing decision-making at executive level.
• Experience leading diverse operational portfolios, such as technology, property, infrastructure, health and safety or other corporate services.
• Proven success leading organisational change, major projects and service improvement, translating strategic priorities into operational plans and measurable results.
• Strong commercial acumen and a sound understanding of risk management, governance, compliance and health and safety.
• The ability to build trusted relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, and to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• A collaborative leadership style and a commitment to Manaakitaka and Lincoln University’s values.

For more information please phone Patrick Rooney on [phone].