Deputy Chief Executive - People and Operations
Wellington
- Shape the future
- Support and collaborate great people.
- Strengthen global impact.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is looking for a collaborative and strategic leader to guide and support its People and Operations Group. As a key member of our Leadership Team, this role is central to ensuring we have the people, systems and resources to deliver on New Zealand’s international priorities.
The People and Operations Group encompasses:
- People & Culture
- Finance
- Security & Organisational Resilience
- Asset & Property Management
- Information Systems & Data Management
- Procurement & Commercial Services
- Enterprise Project Management
You will bring a focus on innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring that MFAT has the right capabilities and resources to operate effectively in an ever-changing global environment.
Key Leadership Priorities
This role will:
- Lead a high-performing, globally connected team, shaping a forward-thinking and integrated corporate function.
- Align people, resources and systems to support MFAT’s strategic objectives.
- Partner with Senior Leadership Team colleagues to ensure coherence, alignment and strong executive governance.
- Champion change and transformation, strengthening MFAT’s operating model, technology, assets and culture.
- Build trusted relationships across the Ministry, the Public Service and external partners to deliver impactful results.
About You
We’re looking for a leader who:
- Is expert a building durable internal relationships across a range of service lines.
- Has experience guiding corporate functions in a large, complex organisation.
- Brings a strong track record in leading change and strengthening organisational capability.
- Enjoys working in a fast-moving and complex environment, balancing multiple priorities.
- Has an understanding of the public sector environment (preferred).
Security Requirements
Candidates must be New Zealand citizens and eligible for Top Secret security clearance. More information on the vetting process, including a self-assessment tool, can be found here.
This is a career-defining opportunity to lead a critical portfolio at the heart of New Zealand’s international engagement. If you are a strategic and people-focused leader looking to make an impact, we are eager to hear from you.