Human Resources Lead

CORE Education; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tātai Aho Rau Core Education is seeking an experienced HR practitioner to establish and develop our HR function for an 18‑month period. The role combines hands‑on delivery with close collaboration across the organisation to translate priorities into practical people initiatives that support staff and business needs.

You will partner with senior leaders to shape the people strategy, embed performance and governance frameworks, advise on complex employment relations, and strengthen workplace

Qualifications

• Experienced HR generalist who translates priorities into practical people initiatives.
• Skilled in partnering with senior leaders and delivering HR programs.
• Strong project management, coaching, and change leadership.

Responsibilities

• Shape the people strategy and build practical HR policies, systems and frameworks.
• Strengthen performance, remuneration and capability development.
• Advise on complex employment relations and organisational change.
• Provide people insights to senior leaders to inform planning.

Skills

HR generalist

Leadership

Project management

Coaching & mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Written & verbal communication

Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitment

Education

Tertiary qualification in Human Resources

Job description

Start date: ASAP (anticipate it will be early 2027)

Tentative Interviews:

Job Ad Key Point

• Shape initiatives that make a real difference
• Make your mark through lasting HR projects
• Contribute to purposeful, values-led work

About Us

Tātai Aho Rau Core Education is a professional services company and charity committed to advancing education. We provide professional learning and development for teachers and create high-quality classroom resources. Equity through learning, honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi and working alongside communities across Aotearoa are central to who we are. Our approximately 32 employees work remotely or from our Wellington and Christchurch offices, supported by contractors who help deliver our projects.

The opportunity

Following a period of significant change, Tātai Aho Rau is entering its next chapter with a strong platform and a positive future. We are looking for an experienced HR practitioner to join us for 18 months and establish and develop our HR function. This is a standalone role that combines hands-on delivery with close collaboration across the organisation to develop solutions that meet people and business needs.

Working closely with the senior leadership team and people across Tātai Aho Rau, you will translate organisational priorities into practical people initiatives that make a visible difference. At the heart of the role is creating a positive employee experience where people feel supported, connected and able to do their best work. You will consult and collaborate to ensure initiatives are fit for purpose, while strengthening workplace culture, developing effective HR policies, systems and frameworks, and building organisational and leadership capability.

Your focus will include shaping the people strategy; strengthening performance, remuneration and capability frameworks; supporting workforce and succession planning; advising on complex employment relations and organisational change; improving HR policies, systems and processes; and providing useful people insights to senior leaders. Success will mean embedding practical, sustainable frameworks that leaders understand and use to plan ahead.

About You

You are a credible, experienced and hands-on HR generalist who can set direction and deliver the work required to bring it to life. You are comfortable advising senior leaders, navigating complex people matters and progressing projects from design through to implementation. Organised and action-oriented, you listen well, seek diverse perspectives and build trusted relationships, creating shared ownership of change and practical solutions that work across the organisation.

To thrive in this role, you will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and extensive HR experience
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and leading the development and delivery of people and performance initiatives
• Strong project management capability and the confidence to work at both strategic and operational levels
• The ability to design and embed practical HR systems and frameworks, including performance, remuneration and capability development
• Strong coaching, mentoring, relationship management and influencing skills
• Clear, confident written and verbal communication
• A commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi and to working in a culturally responsive ways

Ready to make an impact?

If you are excited to improve the employee experience and create practical HR frameworks that will make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you!

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.