People Experience Manager

IHC; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 135,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing support

Training and development

Flexibility

Mobile and phone plan discounts

Retail and gym discounts

Job summary

IHC seeks an experienced People Experience Manager to lead a cross-functional team that unifies people services into a simple, connected experience across our organisation in New Zealand.

You will drive improvements using customer-centred design, automation and AI-enabled tools, while shaping governance and operating practices to support ongoing performance and employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience leading people services and operations within large or complex organisations.
• Experience with technology, automation, digital tools and AI-enabled solutions.
• Ability to design, implement and optimise service models and operating practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent relationship management, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to build trusted partnerships and lead change across diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of a modern, technology-enabled service model.
• Foster a culture of trust, accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
• Partner and influence across the organisation to shape service experience.
• Grow capability within the team and create opportunities for learning and contribution.
• Ensure people services are delivered in line with legislative, privacy and organisational requirements.

Skills

People leadership

Customer experience

Change management

Stakeholder influence

Analytical skills

Coaching teams

Job description

• Lead and shape the future of People Experience at IHC.
• Develop a modern, technology enabled service model.
• Permanent full time role, $135k - $168k. Wellington.

We’re looking for an experienced, future-focused Manager to lead IHC’s People Experience team and shape how leaders and employees access and experience people services across our organisation.

About the role | Mō te tūnga.

The People Experience Manager is a pivotal leadership role responsible for bringing together our key people functions into a simple, connected and responsive service experience. You’ll lead the improvement and simplification of employee services and strengthen organisational performance through customer-centred design, self-service, automation and AI-enabled solutions. You will:

• Lead the development of a modern, technology-enabled service model.
• Build a culture of trust, accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
• Partner and influence across the organisation.
• Grow capability across the team and create opportunities for people to learn, contribute and succeed.
• Ensure people services are delivered in line with legislative, privacy and organisational requirements.

With a team located across the motu this role will involve some travel and the opportunity to get out and about visiting our services and managers in person.

The ideal person for this role will be an inspiring and trusted leader with a continuous improvement mindset. You’ll be experienced in coaching and developing teams and can create clarity, capability, and accountability to build trust in the people team across our organisation. You’ll have experience leading people services and operations functions within a large or complex organisation and have a strong customer and employee experience mindset. You will also have:

• A sound understanding of people operations and people practices.
• Experience in technology, automation, digital tools and AI-enabled solutions.
• The ability to design, implement and optimise service models operating practices.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent relationship management, communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to build trusted partnerships and lead change across diverse stakeholders.

This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape the future of people experience and ultimately to support better outcomes for the people IHC works alongside and supports.

What's in it for you? | Nōu te rourou?

This is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to meaningful work and an organisation that genuinely creates real and lasting change for New Zealanders living with intellectual disabilities, and their whānau. We offer a supportive work environment where your wellbeing and professional growth are a priority. The salary range for this role is $135,000 to $168,000. We also offer:

• Wellbeing support and EAP services.
• Training and development.
• Flexibility.
• Mobile and phone plan discounts.
• Retail and gym discounts and more!

The IHC Group is made up of our charitable programmes and three wholly owned subsidiaries, committed to supporting people with intellectual disabilities to lead satisfying lives in the community and to providing housing and tenancy services to people in need

Applications close at 11.55pm on Tuesday 6 th October 2026.

The IHC Group is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and actively seek a diverse applicant pool. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We welcome all kinds of diversity and the different perspectives such diversity brings to our work. Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Location(s) Wellington, Wellington Central, Hutt Valley, Horowhenua / Kapiti / Mana, Wairarapa