Deputy Chief Executive

He Herenga Kura; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Wellbeing focus

Learning and development opportunities

Te reo Māori and tikanga training

Birthday leave

Matariki celebrations

Study and leave

Job summary

He Herenga Kura in Wellington, NZ seeks a Deputy Chief Executive to support the CEO in delivering operational and strategic direction and to assume COO responsibilities. This senior role offers organisation-wide reach, shaping capability, governance assurance, and health, safety and wellbeing across kaimahi and whānau.

We value Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, and strong stakeholder relationships, with a focus on housing, social responsibility and community outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years’ experience in a DCE, COO or equivalent senior leadership position.
• Experience and a deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, Te Ao Māori and tikanga.
• Proven record of developing organisational direction and translating it into operational delivery.
• Experience building high-performing teams in a multifaceted and demanding environment.
• Strong strategic planning, financial management and analytical capability.
• Sound knowledge of government direction and policy priorities, particularly housing and social responsibility.
• Political astuteness, strong senior networks and exceptional stakeholder relationship capability.
• Experience leading change through positive influence.
• Experience working in a kaupapa Māori service, with waiata, karakia and reo Māori kōrero.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership and align organisational priorities with the direction set by the Board.
• Lead and coach senior leaders, build high-performing teams and set clear expectations for delivery and accountability.
• Drive fit-for-purpose operational plans, processes and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Identify and mitigate organisational risk, strengthen performance, compliance and governance assurance, and provide high-quality reporting to the Chief Executive and Board.
• Build strong relationships with the Board, government agencies, iwi, hapū, marae, sector partners and other key stakeholders.
• Lead change, emergency management and business continuity activity, and reinforce a proactive approach to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Embed Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi considerations in decision‑making and organisational practice.

Job description

\"A sacred connection that unites the people and binds us to the land.\"

We are looking for a Deputy Chief Executive to support the Chief Executive Officer in delivering He Herenga Kura operational and strategic direction, while also carrying the Chief Operating Officer responsibilities for the organisation.

This is a senior leadership role with organisation-wide reach. You will help ensure we have the right people, capability and operational settings to deliver well, lead continuous improvement across our operations, and provide assurance to the Chief Executive Officer and Board. You will also hold delegated authority to act on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer during periods of leave.

Key responsibilities and outcomes include:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership and align organisational priorities with the direction set by the Board.


• Lead and coach senior leaders, build high-performing teams and set clear expectations for delivery and accountability.


• Drive fit-for-purpose operational plans, processes and continuous improvement across the organisation.


• Identify and mitigate organisational risk, strengthen performance, compliance and governance assurance, and provide high-quality reporting to the Chief Executive and Board.


• Build strong relationships with the Board, government agencies, iwi, hapū, marae, sector partners and other key stakeholders.


• Lead change, emergency management and business continuity activity, and reinforce a proactive approach to health, safety and wellbeing.


• Embed Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi considerations in decision‑making and organisational practice.

Your leadership will strengthen the systems, capability and operational performance that enable kaimahi to deliver for whānau. The role has a direct line of sight to all four He Herenga Kura whānau outcomes:

• Whānau live in safe, healthy and affordable homes.


• Whānau confidently uptake pathways to secure and sustainable living.


• Whānau living options meet their individual, collective and cultural needs.


• Whānau are actively involved in community life.

Ko wai koe | About you

You will be an experienced senior executive who combines strategic judgement with strong operational leadership. You will be comfortable working across complexity, having courageous kōrero, leading change and building confidence with governance, kaimahi and external partners and stakeholders.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• At least three years’ experience in a DCE, COO or equivalent senior leadership position.


• Experience and a deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, Te Ao Māori and tikanga.


• A proven record of developing organisational direction and translating it into operational delivery.


• Experience building high-performing teams in a multifaceted and demanding environment.


• Strong strategic planning, financial management and analytical capability.


• Sound knowledge of government direction and policy priorities, particularly housing and social responsibility.


• Political astuteness, strong senior networks and exceptional stakeholder relationship capability.


• Experience leading change through positive influence.


• Experience working in a kaupapa Māori service, with a willingness to participate in waiata, karakia and reo Māori kōrero.


• Excellent oral and written communication and current knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements.


• A relevant tertiary qualification, or considerable professional experience and standing.

At He Herenga Kura our purpose is to ensure whānau in Te Whanganui ā Tara have a safe place to call home and the support they need to thrive.

We are a kaupapa Māori organisation with over 50 years of service to our communities. Our mahi is grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kotahitanga and rangatiratanga. These uara guide how we work with one another and how we walk alongside whānau - strengthening connections, supporting wellbeing and helping create flourishing futures.

We provide a wide range of housing and social support services tailored to the needs of whānau and rangatahi. Māori and non‑Māori whānau can access our support.

• Whanaungatanga | Positive connections - Relationships, whakapapa and connection with whānau, kaimahi and communities.


• Kotahitanga | Oneness - Working collectively and supporting one another to achieve shared outcomes


• Manaakitanga| Generosity and support - Care, respect and responsibility in how we engage with others.


• Rangatiratanga | Self‑determination - Supporting agency, accountability and the aspirations of whānau and kaimahi.

When you join He Herenga Kura, you will be part of an organisation that invests in its kaimahi and the mahi they do for whānau. Our offer includes:

• Flexible working arrangements, where the requirements of the role allow.


• A strong focus on kaimahi hauora and wellbeing.


• Dedicated learning and development for all kaimahi.


• Opportunities to strengthen capability in tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and kaupapa Māori practice.


• A workplace where the connection between your mahi and outcomes for whānau matters.


• Birthday leave.


• Matariki and Te Wiki o te Reo Māori celebrations.


• Study and learning and development leave.

Our recruitment process

We will review and shortlist applications as they are received and may interview suitable candidates throughout the advertising period. He Herenga Kura reserves the right to appoint to this role before the advertised closing date, so we encourage you to apply early.

Our recruitment process

He Herenga Kura is committed to a fair, accessible and evidence-based attraction and selection process. If you require an adjustment or support to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks relevant to this senior executive role, including identity and right‑to‑work verification, references, qualification verification where applicable, conflict of interest declarations and other approved role‑related integrity checks.