Executive Director of Operations & Enablement

UCOL; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

UCOL is seeking an experienced and collaborative Executive Director Operations to join the Executive Leadership Team. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the role provides executive leadership across People and Culture, Digital Services, Facilities Management, Health and Safety, and Corporate Assurance and Risk.

You will unite enabling functions around shared priorities, develop specialist managers, strengthen service performance and ensure the organisation has the people, systems and

Qualifications

• Substantial executive or senior operational leadership experience.
• Experience leading and developing specialist managers.
• Knowledge of governance and public‑sector accountability.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership across the enabling-function portfolio.
• Lead organisational capability and service improvements.
• Support People & Culture, Digital Services, Facilities, Health & Safety, and Risk.
• Foster cross‑organisational transformation and future‑focused ways of working.
• Contribute ELT leadership for investment decisions.

Skills

Executive leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Governance & compliance

People & culture knowledge

Public sector accountability

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience

Job description

UCOL is seeking an experienced and collaborative Executive Director Operations to join the Executive Leadership Team. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the role provides executive leadership across People and Culture, Digital Services, Facilities Management, Health and Safety, and Corporate Assurance and Risk.

You will unite enabling functions around shared priorities, develop specialist managers, strengthen service performance and ensure the organisation has the people, systems and