Strategic Data, AI & Innovation Leader

Wellington City Council; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working options

Health and wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Learning and development programmes

Job summary

Wellington City Council invites an experienced Data & Innovation Manager to guide the organisation’s data, AI, and emerging technology strategy. The role leads four multidisciplinary teams and collaborates with ELT and external partners to turn ideas into scalable, responsible outcomes.

You’ll set governance foundations, drive innovations, and champion data-led decision making across Council, while aligning with city-wide priorities and communities in Wellington.

Qualifications

• Experience leading data, innovation, or digital programmes in a complex organisation.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to connect emerging trends with outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence and engage senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience building partnerships across organisational boundaries.
• Track record of leading high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Ability to govern data, information governance, and AI adoption.

Responsibilities

• Set and drive the Council’s strategic direction for data, AI, innovation and emerging technology.
• Identify opportunities to use data and technology to improve services and outcomes for Wellington.
• Lead Council's AI enablement programme and scale successful solutions across the organisation.
• Lead the development and delivery of the innovation programme from exploration to implementation.
• Build relationships across the Wellington ecosystem including universities, industry and other councils.
• Manage four multidisciplinary teams: data products & insights, governance, GIS & spatial services, and innovation.
• Provide oversight of data governance and geospatial capabilities to support evidence-based decisions.

Skills

Data leadership

AI strategy

Innovation management

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

GIS & Geospatial

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Wellington City Council invites an experienced Data & Innovation Manager to guide the organisation’s data, AI, and emerging technology strategy. The role leads four multidisciplinary teams and collaborates with ELT and external partners to turn ideas into scalable, responsible outcomes.

You’ll set governance foundations, drive innovations, and champion data-led decision making across Council, while aligning with city-wide priorities and communities in Wellington.