General Manager - Persons of Extreme Risk Directorate (PERD)

New Zealand Government; Auckland; On-site; NZD 169,000 - 239,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is seeking a General Manager for the Persons of Extreme Risk Directorate to lead OCRU and PERU, driving national excellence in risk management and custodial practice across New Zealand. This is a senior role shaping policy, performance, and public safety outcomes.

The role requires strategic leadership in high-risk environments, collaborative stakeholder engagement, and a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Maori equity within the justice system.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in custodial environments.
• Experience managing high-risk operations and critical decision-making.
• Knowledge of organised crime and intelligence-led approaches.
• Ability to influence strategic outcomes across multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Proven people leadership and change-management skills.
• Strong relationship management and risk navigation capability.
• Commitment to Te Ao Maori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearances.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Organised Crime Reduction Unit (OCRU) and the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit (PERU) as national centres of excellence.
• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for OCRU and PERU.
• Influence policy, operational decision-making and system-wide responses.
• Strengthen national consistency in risk management and placement for prisoners of extreme risk.
• Build and lead a high-performing leadership team with a culture of accountability and inclusion.
• Champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments and inclusive leadership.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Organised crime

People leadership

Te Tiriti leadership

Job description

Lead one of Corrections' most significant and high-profile custodial servicesShape a newly established national capability at the forefront of organised crime managementInfluence public safety outcomes across Aotearoa New ZealandAra Poutama Aotearoa is committed to one purpose: the wellness and wellbeing of people. By working alongside those in our care and their whanau, we drive meaningful, long-term change that creates safer communities and reduce reoffending.We are seeking an exceptional leader to take on the newly established role of General Manager, Persons of Extreme Risk Directorate (PERD). This nationally significant position provides senior operational leadership for the management of some of New Zealand's highest-risk and most complex individuals while leading critical public safety functions that support custodial services across the country.Mo te tunga | About the roleThis is a key national leadership role at the forefront of organised crime management, public safety, and custodial excellence. As General Manager, PERD, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Organised Crime Reduction Unit (OCRU) and the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit (PERU), ensuring the safe, lawful and effective management of individuals who present the highest levels of risk within New Zealand's custodial estate. The role reports to the Director: Persons of Extreme Risk Directorate.As Corrections' custodial subject matter expert on organised crime, you will provide national direction, operational oversight, and strategic advice to influence decision-making across the organisation and wider justice sector. You will play a key role in shaping a new capability that strengthens national consistency in risk management, placement decisions, and custodial practice. This is a rare opportunity to create lasting impact at the highest levels of Corrections and contribute directly to safer communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.The role aligns with the broader expectations of General Manager Custodial leadership, including oversight of safe, lawful and effective custodial operations, leadership capability development, performance delivery, and ensuring services reflect Hokai Rangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and culturally responsive practice.Mou | About YouLead the Organised Crime Reduction Unit, establishing it as a nationally recognised centre of excellence for organised crime management and lead the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit which is the specialist unit for highest-risk prisoner oversight.Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for OCRU and PERU, ensuring effective management of high-risk and organised crime individuals.Deliver national leadership on organised crime-related custodial practice, influencing policy, operational decision-making and system-wide responses.Strengthen national consistency in placement, risk management and operational approaches for prisoners of extreme risk.Build and maintain strong partnerships across Corrections, the justice sector, law enforcement agencies, security partners, iwi and community stakeholders.Lead responses to complex operational risks, critical incidents and emerging threats.Lead the operational implementation of specific legislation for the management of prisoners presenting an extreme risk.Drive high standards of safety, operational performance, rehabilitation and public safety outcomes.Build and lead a high-performing leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement.Champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments and support approaches that address inequities for Maori within the justice system.Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experienceYou are a strategic, resilient and values-driven leader with experience operating in complex, high-risk environments. You bring:Significant senior leadership experience within the custodial environment.Demonstrated expertise in managing high-risk operations, complex risk environments and critical decision-making.Strong understanding of organised crime, intelligence-led approaches and public safety.Proven ability to influence strategic outcomes across multiple agencies and stakeholder groups.Exceptional people leadership skills, with experience leading change, building capability and delivering performance through others.Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement capability.Experience navigating legislative, operational, political and reputational risk.A demonstrated commitment to Te Ao Maori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and inclusive leadership.The ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearances.The full list of requirements for this role can be found in the attached JD.Nga painga | The benefitsThe salary range is $168,944 - $238,509, with a mid-point of $198,757. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.This is a unique opportunity to lead a nationally significant service, shape a newly established capability, and influence the future of organised crime management and public safety within New Zealand's correctional system.Ko wai matou | About usJoin Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Maori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai Rangi strategy.We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.Tono inaianei | Apply nowApplications Close 26th October 2026.When applying, submit a tailored CV/Resume and Cover Letter describing your motivation for joining our department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work. So, we can get to know you as a leader, we ask that you submit a leadership statement as part of this application. Instructions are attached to this advert (please navigate to our Careers Site if using Seek).To apply and view the position description, click the application link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered.If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [e-mail], or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.