Chief People Officer

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Location: Wellington or Christchurch, with regular travel between offices.

About the role | Mō te mahi\n

We are looking for an experienced Chief People Officer to lead the People, Culture and Capability (PC&C) function here at NHC Toka Tū Ake, shaping and delivering the People Strategy that underpins our organisational strategy and long-term ambitions.

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Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Executive Leadership Team, you will be a trusted advisor to the Board, People, Culture and Governance Board Committee (PCGC), Chief Executive and executive peers on all people-related matters – from strategy, culture and leadership, through to workforce capability, employment relations, remuneration and health, safety, security and wellbeing.

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This is a senior enterprise leadership role focused on the next phase of NHC's organisational maturity. You will ensure NHC has the leadership, workforce capability, culture and operating model required to deliver its statutory responsibilities and strategic priorities, while building a workplace where people have a great employee experience and are supported to do their best work. A key focus is embedding a strong, values-based culture, building cultural confidence and competence including te ao Māori capability, and leading the people and capability dimensions of technological change, including the responsible use of AI.

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You will lead a high-performing PC&C team – spanning organisational development, health, safety, security and wellbeing, and core people operations – ensuring NHC has the right people, systems and tools in place to deliver now and into the future.

Key responsibilities include:\n

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• Develop and deliver the People Strategy, ensuring alignment with NHC's strategic priorities and measurable impact on capability, culture and employee experience.
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• Lead capability, leadership development and workforce planning, ensuring NHC can attract, retain and grow a diverse, high-performing workforce that can scale to different events and priorities.
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• Foster a positive, inclusive culture and lift cultural confidence and competence across the organisation, including te ao Māori capability.
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• Lead the health, safety, security and wellbeing strategy and management system, ensuring critical risks are well understood, managed and reported.
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• Provide trusted, no-surprises advice to the Board, PCGC, Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team on material people risks, trends, decisions and emerging issues.
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• Modernise HR systems, processes and reporting – including through HR analytics and responsible use of AI – to enable data-driven people decisions and improved productivity.
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• Lead a high-performing PC&C team, setting clear expectations and building depth, credibility and service across the function.
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To be successful in this role you will bring:\n

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• A track record of operating at executive level, with senior People and Culture leadership experience in complex organisations and the credibility, integrity and judgement required for sensitive, high-stakes matters.
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• Deep expertise across the full breadth of the people portfolio – including strategy, organisational development, culture, leadership development, employment relations, remuneration, workforce planning and health, safety and wellbeing.
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• Proven experience leading strategic people and culture initiatives that deliver measurable business outcomes and shaping culture and leadership capability in support of long-term organisational ambitions.
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• Experience working with Boards and board committees, including facilitating charter and work programme discussions, and supporting Chief Executive recruitment, performance, remuneration and succession matters.
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• Strong knowledge of employment and public sector legislation, with the ability to translate requirements into practical policy, systems and advice.
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• A relationship-based influencing style, with the ability to build trust with executives, senior leaders and governance stakeholders through clear advice, constructive challenge and reliable delivery.
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• Strong systems thinking and strategic judgement, with the ability to move confidently between operational detail and enterprise-level implications.
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• Experience leading through change, including growing high-performing PC&C teams and modernising systems, tools and reporting - including through data, analytics and responsible use of AI.
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• A tertiary qualification in business, HR or a related discipline (or equivalent experience); senior public sector and/or insurance sector experience is highly desirable.
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What’s in it for you? | Nōu te rourou\n

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• Competitive salary (including 3.5% superannuation)
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• 5 weeks annual leave
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• Commitment to your personal development (Professional Development Fund)
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• Hybrid working environment
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• IT home bundle
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• Wellbeing fund | Access to inhouse Wellness Coach
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Applications close Monday, 3 August 2026 at 5:00pm.\n

Contact for questions: [email protected]

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