Manager, People Partnering

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 161,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Sick leave from day one

KiwiSaver matching up to 4%

Vision assistance

Flu vaccinations

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in New Zealand is seeking a strategic Manager, People Partnering to lead a team of People Advisory and Recruitment professionals. You will partner with senior leaders to develop workforce plans, strengthen leadership capability, and deliver people-centered solutions that enable CAA's people to achieve ambitious outcomes.

As a member of the People and Capability Leadership Team, you’ll work with a high-calibre group to ensure CAA remains equipped to meet current

Qualifications

• Senior HR leadership experience.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and drive organisational performance.
• Experience leading People Advisory and Recruitment teams.
• Strong understanding of employment relations and recruitment practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Partnering, Advisory and Recruitment functions across CAA
• Build and maintain a high-performing team through effective leadership and coaching
• Provide strategic people advice that supports organisational performance and change
• Influence leadership teams on people-related priorities, risks and opportunities
• Ensure employment relations, recruitment and people management practices are pragmatic, effective and fair
• Collaborate across the organisation to deliver aligned and fit-for-purpose people solutions
• Use insights, analysis and performance measures to continuously improve people services

Skills

HR leadership

Succession planning

Stakeholder management

Employment relations

Recruitment

People analytics

Strategic partnership

Job description

The Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service offer distinctively different career opportunities and embrace diverse talent. All jobs at the Authority contribute to ensuring safe and secure skies to help New Zealand fly.

The Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory arm of our organisation and the Aviation Security Service is the nationwide provider for aviation security.

Lead strategic people and workforce planning together with assigned Business Groups Partner with senior leaders to drive organisational impact Lead a high-performing HR and recruitment team

About the Role

As Manager, People Partnering, you'll play a pivotal leadership role in shaping CAA's workforce capability and organisational success. Leading a team of People Advisory and Recruitment professionals, you'll partner closely with senior leaders across the organisation to develop workforce plans, strengthen leadership capability, and deliver people‑centred solutions that enable CAA's people to deliver our ambitious outcomes.

As a member of the People and Capability Leadership Team, you'll work alongside a fantastic team of professionals playing a key role in ensuring CAA is equipped to meet current and future challenges while fostering a high‑performing, inclusive and values‑led culture.

Success across this portfolio will rely on your ability to quickly build strong relationships, maintain visibility and influence, and lead effectively across the country. Regular national travel will be required, to collaborate with team members and leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the People Partnering, Advisory and Recruitment functions across CAA
• Build and maintain a high-performing team through effective leadership and coaching
• Provide strategic people advice that supports organisational performance and change
• Influence leadership teams on people‑related priorities, risks and opportunities
• Ensure employment relations, recruitment and people management practices are pragmatic, effective and fair
• Collaborate across the organisation to deliver aligned and fit-for-purpose people solutions
• Use insights, analysis and performance measures to continuously improve people services

The salary range for this role is $160,911 to $224,304, with the mid-range being $197,441. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

For more information on the role please view the position description.

What You'll Bring

You'll be a strategic and experienced people leader who combines strong HR expertise, experience supporting large scale frontline workforces, and authentic leadership, with a natural ability to influence at senior levels. You'll thrive in complex environments, build trusted relationships quickly, and be passionate about creating workplaces where people and organisations can succeed.

To succeed in this role, you'll demonstrate:

• A curious mindset and a strong connection with the purpose of the businesses you work alongside
• Proven track record of effectively leading highly functional and cohesive teams that can operate under complexity
• Proven experience partnering with senior leaders to deliver strategic workforce outcomes
• Strong knowledge of employment relations, recruitment and broader HR practices, with a pragmatic approach to applying this in a business context
• Confidence providing advice on complex and sensitive people matters, with the ability to operate in the grey
• Exceptional relationship‑building, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with sound professional judgement
• Experience navigating complex organisational environments and competing priorities
• The ability to translate people insights into meaningful organisational outcomes

About Us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand's aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand's international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system - so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values — Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration — guide everything we do. We're committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and valued. Our people are central to our success.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of an ambitious and exciting transformation
• 5 weeks annual leave, with an additional 2 days after five years of continuous service
• Sick leave entitlements from day one
• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance and Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

Applications close: Thursday 27 August 2026

Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.