Chief Executive – Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

HardyGroup International; Nelson; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education and skills institute is seeking a Chief Executive to lead its strategic transformation and drive educational outcomes in Nelson. The role involves overseeing financial performance, academic quality, and stakeholder engagement while enhancing partnerships across the region. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in executive leadership within large organisations, especially in the education sector.

Qualifications

• Track record of success in large, complex organisations.
• Experience in tertiary education or public sector preferred.
• Ability to drive organisational transformation and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead NMIT as a sustainable institution.
• Oversee academic quality and financial performance.
• Develop the institution's first three-year strategic plan.

Skills

Visible, values-led leadership

Strategic and operational balance

Exceptional financial acumen

Leading organisational transformation

Engaging diverse stakeholders

Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Job description

Chief Executive – Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

Applications close: Wednesday 5th November 2025

THE OPPORTUNITY

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) is entering a pivotal phase as it becomes an independent Institute of Technology and Polytechnic (ITP). Backed by strong regional support and visibility, NMIT is uniquely placed to serve as the education and skills hub for the Top of the South. With significant attention from local industries, iwi, councils, and communities, the Chief Executive has a powerful platform from which to strengthen partnerships, align education with workforce needs, and position NMIT as a key contributor to regional and national prosperity.

At the same time, NMIT faces a clear mandate for growth and innovation. This includes delivering at least 10% international student growth, rationalising its campus footprint, refreshing its digital infrastructure, and ensuring that specialist facilities across aquaculture, aviation, viticulture, health, creative industries, trades, and technology remain sector-leading.

This is an opportunity to lead a complex, multi-campus organisation of scale, while remaining highly visible and connected in a region known for its strong sense of community and collaboration.

THE ROLE

The Chief Executive carries full responsibility for establishing and leading NMIT as a financially sustainable, academically credible, and socially responsive public institution. Reporting to the ITP Council, the Chief Executive will oversee academic quality, financial performance, workforce planning, asset management, and public accountability.

A key early responsibility will be the development of the institution’s first three-year strategic plan, with a focus on:

• Optimising the programme portfolio to meet demand and create clear pathways
• Rationalising the campus footprint under a capital development and asset management plan
• Designing and implementing an international strategy that delivers sustainable student growth
• Building partnerships with iwi, industry, councils, and communities across the Top of the South
• Delivering a digital infrastructure refresh without operational cost overruns

The Chief Executive will lead multi-layered leadership teams, provide advice and support to the Council, and represent NMIT in national and international forums.

THE CANDIDATE

This role requires an experienced executive leader with a track record of success in large, complex organisations, ideally in tertiary education or the wider public sector. Candidates will bring:

A visible, values-led leadership style that builds trust with staff, students, industry, iwi, and the wider community

• The ability to balance strategic leadership with operational performance, ensuring both long-term sustainability and day-to-day delivery
• Exceptional financial acumen, including managing public funding, commercial revenue, and capital assets
• Experience leading organisational transformation, including workforce planning, culture building, and digital change
• A proven ability to engage diverse stakeholders, leveraging strong regional attention into sustainable partnerships and outcomes
• A deep commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, advancing equity and building a high-performing, inclusive culture across NMIT
• Demonstrated success in international education strategy and student growth, with an ability to diversify markets and ensure compliance

We invite you to discuss this exceptional leadership opportunity with David Price from the HardyGroup
M. [phone] | E. [e-mail]

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 5th November, 2025. The reference number to include in your application is H25_5286.

Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.

Ready to make people your organisation’s greatest asset?