People & Capability Manager

Ashburton District Council; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashburton District Council is seeking a People & Capability Manager to lead a dedicated team delivering comprehensive HR services across the organisation.

You will provide trusted guidance to managers, the Executive Team, and elected members, and drive organisational development initiatives to improve policies and practices while supporting safety and wellbeing programs.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and best-practice people management.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills for advising managers and senior leaders.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities with focus on improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People & Capability team delivering a broad range of HR services.
• Provide trusted advice to managers, the Executive Team and Elected Members as required.
• Shape and lead organisational development initiatives and policy improvements.
• Support managers through complex employment matters and oversee safety and wellness initiatives.
• Collaborate with unions to foster constructive workplace relations.

Skills

Employment law

People management

Employment relations

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Education

HR qualification

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Ashburton District Council – Christchurch, South Island

• Leadership opportunity with genuine influence organisation wide
• Enjoy a broad portfolio across people, culture, health and safety, employment relations and organisational development
• Join a diverse, community-focused organisation that values its people

Enhance our connected culture and take a lead role creating our future!

What the job involves

This is an exciting opportunity to take the lead of our People & Capability team and play a key role in supporting the Ashburton District Council and its people to thrive.

As our People & Capability Manager, you’ll lead a talented team delivering a broad range of people services. You’ll provide trusted advice to managers, the Executive Team and, when required, Elected Members.

You’ll shape and lead organisational development initiatives, review and improve our people policies and practices, support managers through complex employment matters, oversee our safety and wellness initiatives and work alongside our unions.

This is a role where you’ll be both strategic and hands-on. You’ll be encouraged to look for better ways of doing things, challenge the status quo and continue to improve the experience of our employees.

Who are we looking for?

An HR professional with experience and qualification to match the scope of this managerial position. You’ll have:

• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, with a practical understanding of best-practice people management and employment relations.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, with confidence advising managers and senior leaders through complex matters.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with a focus on continuous improvement and practical solutions.
• Experience managing budgets and resources

What’s in it for you?

A position where no two days are the same, there is genuine support from the Executive Team, an ability to lead meaningful initiatives and continue to grow your own career.

Here’s what you’ll get when you join our whānau:

• A brand-new workplace at Te Whare Whakatere
• A team that’s friendly, funny, and genuinely supportive
• Variety and autonomy
• Comprehensive range of employee benefits

Plus, you’ll be based in Ashburton - where the mountains meet the plains, Lake Hood is just around the corner, and Christchurch is a quick hop away.

A bit about us

Ashburton District Council employs over 300 people across a diverse range of roles, including engineers, librarians, accountants, recreation staff, museum and gallery professionals, customer service teams and many more.

Our People & Capability team supports people across all areas of the organisation, making this a genuinely varied and interesting environment to work in.

We’re proud to be community-focused and are committed to creating a positive, productive and inclusive workplace where our people can do their best work.

Ready to make a difference?

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date.

Applications close at midday, Friday 11 September 2026.