Director - High Performance Sport NZ

Kerridge & Partners – Auckland, North Island Director - High Performance Sport New Zealand Performance matters. So do the people, culture and system that make it possible. New Zealand’s high-performance system has momentum. The next Director of High Performance Sport New Zealand will protect that progress, lead its next evolution and help position athletes, coaches and sports for sustained success through Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032 and beyond. Leadership first, grounded in high performance It is a significant executive, culture and system leadership role. HPSNZ needs a proven enterprise leader who can lead a complex organisation, work confidently with boards and government, and earn the trust of sports, athletes, coaches and world-class specialists. You will bring enough lived high-performance experience to understand the environment, ask the right questions and recognise what strong performance cultures require. You will not need to be the technical authority in every discipline - you will need to lead those experts exceptionally well. About the role Lead HPSNZ as a substantial organisation with responsibility for New Zealand’s high-performance sport system. Sustain and deepen a culture where performance, wellbeing, trust and accountability reinforce one another. Deliver the current strategy through LA 2028 and shape the longer-term direction towards Brisbane 2032, working closely with key sports, the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Paralympics New Zealand. Support sports to maximise resources, people and athlete depth within a small, ambitious system. Balance HPSNZ’s role as a major investor with strong, respectful partnerships. Maintain a meaningful relationship with Te Taumata and strengthen HPSNZ’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi across the high-performance system. Operate as an independent HPSNZ leader and a collaborative member of the Sport NZ Group Executive Team. Build a trusted and constructive working relationship with the Group Chief Executive. About you An experienced chief executive or equivalent enterprise leader. A culturally grounded and inclusive leader who can build trust across Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse athletes, sports and communities. Proven empathy and the confidence to share leadership with highly capable people. Credible in the New Zealand or international sport system, with the presence and judgement to lead confidently in a high-profile, high-pressure environment. Experienced with boards and accustomed to leading through complexity, scrutiny and competing stakeholder interests. Passionate about athlete wellbeing, mental health, safe sport and athlete voice, with an understanding of power dynamics in high-performance environments. Comfortable operating with autonomy while communicating early, exercising sound judgement and building trusted relationships across the Sport NZ Group. A strong New Zealand connection is preferred. Returning New Zealanders and leaders from comparable smaller systems - including those with relevant professional, franchise or non-Olympic sport experience - may also be a strong fit. About HPSNZ HPSNZ is part of the Sport NZ Group and leads New Zealand’s high-performance sport system in partnership with National Sport Organisations, the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Paralympics New Zealand. It supports athletes and coaches through investment, performance expertise, pathways, intelligence, innovation, facilities and system leadership. The role is based in Auckland, with regular presence at the National High Performance Hubs in Cambridge, Christchurch and Wānaka, and requires domestic and international travel. It reports to the Sport NZ Group Chief Executive, is directly accountable to the HPSNZ Board, and contributes as a member of the Sport NZ Group Executive Team. Interested? Kerridge & Partners is leading the search. Applications to be submitted via Seek. To discuss the opportunity in confidence or request the candidate information, contact Sam Webster OLY at ***********@kerridgepartners.com or call +64 9 969 9900. Applications close 5.00pm Friday 28 August 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr