Executive Chief of Staff – Strategy & Governance

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Massey University – Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa invites applications for a senior leadership role, Chief of Staff, working directly with the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Leadership Team. The role integrates strategy, governance, risk and performance, shaping university-wide priorities and ensuring timely, evidence-based decision-making.

You will coordinate planning across governance, performance and assurance, translating strategy into measurable outcomes and leading cross-university initiatives

Qualifications

• significant leadership experience within higher education
• demonstrated success leading strategy, governance, organisational performance, risk, assurance or related enterprise functions
• experience translating strategy into measurable institutional priorities and outcomes
• sophisticated political judgement and the ability to navigate ambiguity, competing interests and sensitive issues
• experience advising chief executives, boards, councils or senior leadership teams
• the ability to connect people and functions around a shared institutional purpose
• strong commercial, organisational and public-sector acumen
• exceptional communication, relationship and influencing capability
• an authentic commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to advancing equitable outcomes for Maori

Responsibilities

• lead Massey's strategy, planning, governance, risk and assurance functions
• translate the University's strategic direction into clear priorities, performance measures and coordinated execution
• strengthen the effectiveness of the Vice-Chancellor, Executive Leadership Team and University Council
• provide trusted, independent advice on complex, sensitive and high-profile matters
• connect strategic planning, performance, risk and assurance to support timely, evidence-informed decisions
• lead cross-University priorities and strategic initiatives on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor
• strengthen accountability, organisational resilience and continuous improvement
• build influential relationships with government, iwi, sector, industry and community partners; and
• represent the Vice-Chancellor and University internally, nationally and internationally as required

Job description

Massey University – Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa invites applications for a senior leadership role, Chief of Staff, working directly with the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Leadership Team. The role integrates strategy, governance, risk and performance, shaping university-wide priorities and ensuring timely, evidence-based decision-making.

You will coordinate planning across governance, performance and assurance, translating strategy into measurable outcomes and leading cross-university initiatives