National General Manager, Extreme Risk Custodial Ops

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

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.