People Services Lead

New Zealand Government Joba; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks’ annual leave

Insurance package

Flexible working arrangements

Career development

Job summary

Kāinga Ora is seeking an experienced People Services Lead to provide strategic HR leadership, expert advice, and professional support across the organisation. You will align people strategies with organisational objectives, drive service excellence, and lead workforce planning and operating model transformation.

The role requires partnering with leaders to deliver high‑quality change management and people practices.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience across the full spectrum of Human Resources and public sector environments.
• Proven ability to lead and influence organisational change initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of the employee lifecycle: planning, talent, ER, performance, development, and organisational effectiveness.
• Experience advising senior leaders and aligning people strategies with business goals.
• Understanding of government expectations and public sector operating environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR leadership and expert advice across the organisation.
• Lead delivery of best‑practice people services and drive service excellence.
• Contribute to workforce planning, operating model transformation, and change initiatives.
• Coach and support teams to deliver high‑quality change management outcomes.
• Collaborate with leaders to ensure culturally responsive, inclusive practices.

Skills

HR leadership

Change management

People analytics

Strategic partnership

Diversity & inclusion

Education

HR/business/OD degree or equivalent

Job description

• Newly created, pivotal role in shaping our People Services function, practice and service excellence
• Work in close partnership with the People Services Team, broader People Team, and business leaders
• Permanent role – Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch based, 5 weeks leave and insurance benefits

Te whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunity

Kāinga Ora are looking for experienced and influential People Services Lead to provide strategic HR leadership, expert advice, and professional support across the organisation. As a trusted advisor, you will play a pivotal role in aligning people strategies, frameworks, and practices with organisational objectives, helping to build a high‑performing, future‑ready workforce. Working closely with leaders across the business, you will lead the delivery of best‑practice people services and drive service excellence across the People function. You will contribute to strategic workforce planning, organisational design, operating model transformation, organisational change initiatives, and policy development, ensuring people‑focused decisions support both current and future organisational needs. Further, the People Services Lead will contribute to operating model reviews and organisational design initiatives, providing strategic analysis and guidance to support effective organisational transformation and change. Leading organisational change initiatives on behalf of the People Services Team will be another core focus, while coaching and supporting team members to confidently deliver high‑quality change management practices and outcomes.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - What you will bring

To thrive as our People Services Lead, you will be an experienced and credible HR and Change professional with a strong track record of delivering strategic people outcomes, leading change, and partnering with leaders to build high‑performing organisations.

• Extensive experience across the full spectrum of Human Resources, with a broad understanding of contemporary people practices and proven success delivering organisational outcomes
• Demonstrated experience leading and supporting organisational change initiatives across diverse industries and organisational environments
• Strong knowledge and practical experience across the entire employee lifecycle, including workforce planning, talent management, employee relations, performance, development, and organisational effectiveness
• A deep understanding of HR best practice and emerging people trends, with experience applying these principles within both private and public sector environments
• Proven experience partnering with leaders and stakeholders to provide trusted strategic and operational people advice that supports business objectives and drives performance
• A sound understanding of government expectations, public sector operating environments, and the role of HR in supporting organisational stewardship and accountability
• An appreciation and understanding of cross-cultural perspectives, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the ability to foster culturally responsive people practices
• A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business, Organisational Development, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience

Please note, some travel may be required within NZ.

Nōu te rourou - What's in it for you?

• We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave and a benefits package including a range of insurances, flexible working arrangements and career development.
• These benefits are described in more detail here https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz/a-great-place-to-work/benefits.
• As a Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure that you have all the tools and support you need.
• We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance.
• We also want to support and grow your personal and career development through on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments and study opportunities.

Mō mātou - Our Organisation

At Kāinga Ora, ours is the important responsibility of transforming New Zealand’s housing choices, outcomes and the entire housing sector by creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive. What is exciting about working for Kāinga Ora is getting the chance to make a real and positive impact on NewZealanders’ lives. With skills, planning and purposeful action, our people are creating the homes and neighbourhoods that will build the future of Aotearoa. We are passionate about transforming NewZealand for the better. That includes being a trusted partner for Māori and iwi, protecting and enabling their rights, interests and aspirations under the guidance of Te Tiriti oWaitangi.

Ō tātou uara - Our values

• Manaakitanga – People at the Heart
• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Whanake – Be Bold

Tūhono mai - Join us

Applications close Wednesday 7th October at 5.00pm.

We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.