Manager - Applications & integration

UpperGround by Hudson; Wellington; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in technology solutions is seeking a Manager for Applications & Integration. This role is pivotal in guiding a skilled team while modernizing legacy systems and enhancing integration strategies. You will leverage technical expertise and leadership skills to align technology with business goals, ensuring operational excellence and culture-building within the team.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading application development or integration teams.
• Hands-on technical experience, especially in legacy systems.
• Understanding of modern application architecture and cloud technology.

Responsibilities

• Leading a team of technical specialists in applications and integration.
• Managing and modernizing legacy systems and ETL processes.
• Driving modernization efforts with cloud-based systems and APIs.

Skills

People leadership

Technical background

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Collaboration

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE:
Our client seeks a Manager – Applications & Integration who can confidently lead a team while bridging the gap between legacy technology and modern platforms. This is a key leadership position responsible for ensuring the stability, performance, and strategic evolution of enterprise applications and their data integrations across a complex environment.
You’ll bring a rare mix of deep technical understanding and strong people leadership, guiding a skilled team through both operational excellence and future-focused transformation.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

• Leading, mentoring and managing a team of technical specialists specialists—team size is less important than your ability to build capability and culture.
• Supporting and enhancing legacy platforms, including student management systems built on ETL and other traditional technologies.
• Bringing a solid understanding of software development fundamentals—you won’t be writing code daily, but you must be able to understand it and lead a technically proficient team.
• Driving modernisation efforts, particularly around cloud-based systems and API-driven integrations such as new HRIS platforms.
• Collaborating with peers, vendors, and senior stakeholders to align applications and integration strategy with business goals.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated experience in people leadership within an application development or integration-focused team.
• A strong hands-on technical background—you’ve worked as a developer or engineer and still speak the language of code fluently.
• Proven experience managing or modernising legacy systems, particularly with ETL or similar architectures.
• Solid understanding of modern application architecture, integration via APIs, and cloud technology.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills—able to translate complex technical challenges into business-aligned solutions.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to influence across teams and manage external vendor relationships.

Want to know more?
Chris Gibbons is a Principal Consultant at UpperGround by Hudson, specialising in project and technology roles across the public and private sectors. With a strong network and real-world insight into today’s tech landscape, Chris is well-placed to guide you through the opportunity and ensure it aligns with your career goals.

Reach out directly on 022 430 9042or email [e-mail] for a confidential conversation.

(This role requires at least one day per week to be spent in Palmerston North)

ONLY THOSE WITH THE RIGHT TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND WILL BE CONSIDERED


For all contract and temporary roles, please note the pay rate is inclusive ofmandatory 25% casual loading