Chief Technology Officer

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 293,000 - 366,000; Full time

Job summary

MBIE in Wellington is seeking a Chief Technology Officer to provide end-to-end leadership for the agency’s technology ecosystem. You will shape the strategy, architecture, cyber security, delivery, infrastructure and operations into a cohesive leadership model enabling secure, resilient digital services.

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary CDSS, you will guide the Digital Strategy and Delivery branch and partner with government, industry and technology communities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large, complex technology functions within a sizeable organisation.
• Senior leadership contribution to organisational strategy and outcomes.
• Deep expertise in technology strategy, digital delivery, enterprise architecture and governance.
• Extensive experience modernising technology landscapes and leading large-scale transformation.
• Experience governing enterprise technology operations including incident and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technology leadership to the Chief Executive and SLT, maximising value from technology investments.
• Develop and implement an enterprise technology strategy and roadmap aligned to government direction.
• Lead modernisation through cloud transformation, platform renewal, AI enablement and legacy replacement.
• Strengthen cyber security capability and ensure reliability and performance of services.
• Build a high-performing, inclusive technology workforce with a customer-centric culture.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Digital delivery

Enterprise architecture

Cyber security

Service management

Stakeholder engagement

People leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent senior management experience

Job description

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• Lead MBIE’s technology ecosystem end to end, from strategy and architecture to delivery and operations
• Drive the modernisation of MBIE’s technology landscape, including cloud, cyber resilience and AI enablement
• Join the Corporate and Digital Shared Services Leadership Team and influence technology direction across government
• Permanent Full time | Wellington
• Salary Range [$293,000 – $366,250] TFR (Incl KiwiSaver) and wellness benefits

As Chief Technology Officer, you will provide end-to-end leadership and accountability for MBIE’s technology ecosystem. You will lead the development and delivery of MBIE’s technology strategy and roadmap, bringing strategy, architecture, cyber security, delivery, infrastructure and operations together under one cohesive leadership model that enables secure, resilient and high-performing digital services.

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary Corporate and Digital Shared Services, you will lead the Digital Strategy and Delivery branch, part of the Corporate and Digital Shared Services (CDSS) group. You will build strong partnerships across government, industry and technology communities and provide thought leadership on emerging technologies, risks and opportunities. In this role you will:

• Provide strategic technology leadership and advice to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, maximising the value of MBIE’s technology, digital, cyber security and AI investments
• Develop and implement an enterprise technology strategy and roadmap aligned to MBIE’s priorities and government direction
• Lead the modernisation of MBIE’s technology landscape through investment planning, cloud transformation, platform renewal, AI enablement and legacy system replacement
• Strengthen cyber security capability and ensure the reliability, resilience and performance of MBIE’s technology services, platforms and infrastructure
• Lead and develop a high-performing, inclusive technology workforce with a customer-centric, service-focused culture

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

You will bring:

• Proven experience leading large, complex technology functions within a sizeable organisation, with strategic leadership across technology, digital services, organisational change and enterprise transformation
• Demonstrated success as a member of a senior leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy, performance and outcomes
• Exceptional people leadership, with a track record of setting clear direction, establishing accountability and developing high-performing, collaborative and inclusive teams
• Deep expertise in technology strategy, digital delivery, enterprise architecture, cyber security, technology governance and service management
• Extensive experience leading large-scale technology and business transformation, including modernisation, systems implementation and complex programmes in multidisciplinary environments
• Experience leading and governing enterprise technology operations, including incident and problem management, service continuity and operational resilience
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, working effectively with executives, customers, partners and vendors
• Understanding of New Zealand Government security requirements, including the Protective Security Requirements (PSR) and the New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM), and knowledge of emerging technologies including AI and cyber security trends
• Tertiary qualification, or extensive and comparable senior management experience in the public and private sector
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Māia– Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

Applications close on 5pm on the 28th of October 2026