Head of Performance and Capability

Join our team; Ngaruawahia; Remote; NZD 153,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Flexible working options

Annual performance reviews

Subsidised health insurance

Birthday leave

Work–life balance day every six months

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing programme

Health checks and training at annual '

Boost discounts

Job summary

Waikato District Council in New Zealand seeks a strategic Head of Performance and Capability to lead a broad portfolio including performance, capability, customer advocacy, assurance, business improvement and shared services. The role focuses on turning strategy into tangible improvements for communities.

You will build high‑performing teams, develop capability and knowledge management, and use data and insights to lift service delivery across the Council.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in performance, customer experience, business improvement, organisational capability, or a related field.
• Proven track record of leading transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong experience using data, insights, and performance measures to drive results.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Experience developing high-performing, engaged teams and building organisational capability.
• Ability to think strategically while maintaining a strong focus on delivery.
• A relevant tertiary qualification and a commitment to continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the group's performance and capability strategy.
• Lead business performance, assurance, analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop workforce capability, learning programmes, and knowledge management practices.
• Oversee customer advocacy, shared services, and assurance functions.
• Partner with leaders across Council to improve service delivery and organisational performance.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead and inspire high-performing teams to deliver outstanding outcomes for our communities.

Job description

Be the leader who turns strategy into capability, insight into action, and customer experience into impact.

At Waikato District Council, we're committed to delivering exceptional experiences for our communities and creating services that are responsive, connected, and future focused. To support this vision, we're looking for an inspiring and strategic Head of Performance and Capability to join our Customer & Community leadership team.

The opportunity

This is more than a leadership role. It's an opportunity to shape how we develop our people, measure success, harness customer insights, and continuously improve the services we provide to our communities. You'll lead a diverse portfolio spanning performance, capability, customer advocacy, assurance, business improvement, and shared services, helping ensure we remain customer-focused in everything we do.

If you're passionate about building high-performing teams, driving meaningful change, and creating an environment where people and communities can thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

What will I do?

As a key member of the Customer & Community leadership team, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of the group's performance and capability strategy.
• Lead business performance, assurance, analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop workforce capability, learning programmes, and knowledge management practices.
• Oversee customer advocacy, shared services, and assurance functions.
• Partner with leaders across Council to improve service delivery and organisational performance.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead and inspire high-performing teams to deliver outstanding outcomes for our communities.

What will I bring?

We're looking for a strategic and people-focused leader who can connect vision with delivery and bring others on the journey.

• Significant senior leadership experience in performance, customer experience, business improvement, organisational capability, or a related field. [
• A proven track record of leading transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong experience using data, insights, and performance measures to drive results.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Experience developing high-performing, engaged teams and building organisational capability.
• The ability to think strategically while maintaining a strong focus on delivery.
• A relevant tertiary qualification and a commitment to continuous learning.

Why join our team?

This is a unique opportunity to influence how services are delivered across one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts. You'll work with passionate leaders and dedicated teams who are committed to making a positive difference for our communities every day.

Additional Information

Salary circa $170K dependent on skills and experience.

Waikato District Council offers a range of benefits to employees:

• Enjoy free parking.
• Make work, work for you with flexible working options.
• Benefit from annual performance and remuneration reviews.
• Access subsidised health insurance.
• Celebrate with a day of birthday leave.
• Receive a work–life balance day every six months after your first year.
• Access confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Take advantage of our employee wellbeing programme.
• Receive free health checks, training and education at our annual Work Safe Home Safe event.
• Save with Boost discounts and special offers from New Zealand retailers and service providers.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received and encourage early applications.

We have a strong safety culture and as part of this our preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment medical assessment which includes alcohol and drug testing.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

If you're ready to lead performance, build capability, and help shape exceptional customer and community outcomes, we'd love to hear from you!