New Zealand Trade and Enterprise - Chief Executive (2026)

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise – Chief Executive (2026) Kerridge & Partners – Auckland, North Island New Zealand Trade and Enterprise – Chief Executive (2026) About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is the New Zealand Government’s international business development agency. A Crown entity formed in 2003, its purpose is to grow companies internationally for the good of New Zealand. NZTE supports around 5,800 export customers each year, from founders shipping a first order through to the leadership and boards of some of New Zealand’s largest businesses. A Focus portfolio of approximately 1,000 companies receives intensive, tailored support, while a broader base of engaged customers accesses lighter-touch services through the myNZTE digital platform. NZTE operates as a single global team of 600 people across 47 locations, comprising 10 New Zealand offices and 37 international posts spanning six regions and 24 time zones. This offshore network is the agency’s defining asset, supplemented by Beachheads, a global network of 450 independent private sector advisors. NZTE is governed by a Board and accountable to the Minister for Economic Growth and the Minister for Trade and Investment, with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as monitoring agencies. Its work sits behind the Government’s goal of doubling the value of New Zealand’s exports over ten years, from $95 billion to $190 billion. About the role The Chief Executive of NZTE leads the country’s international business development agency at a defining moment. The Chief Executive is accountable to the Board for setting and executing strategy, for the performance of the global network, and for delivering on a single export mandate in service of the Government’s doubling goal. The Chief Executive brings together the functions that power the agency’s work with exporters – customer and market delivery, sector and market strategy, people and capability, digital and data, and corporate services, lifting the quality and consistency of the support exporters receive wherever they trade. NZTE’s Chief Executive will provide leadership across the wider export system, working alongside MFAT, MBIE, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Invest New Zealand, Education New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand, convening rather than directing, and acting as the agency’s principal external representative and a visible national voice on trade. This is a genuine system leadership role. It requires close partnership with the Board and Ministers, open and trusted relationships across the machinery of government, political astuteness matched with neutrality, and the building of an accountable, high-performance culture. The role is based in Wellington or Auckland. About you Ideally candidates will bring a mix of the following attributes: Previous experience operating at a chief executive or senior executive level, including reporting to a Board, with a successful history and credibility in building engaged, high-performance teams. Commercial credibility across the export landscape, and the ability to connect authentically with owner-led and mid-sized exporters as well as the leadership and boards of New Zealand’s largest businesses. International experience and the judgement to lead a dispersed workforce operating across multiple markets, cultures and time zones under a shared operating model. A track record of system leadership and collaboration, convening partners and building strong stakeholder relationships in a complex environment. Commercial and financial discipline, with evidence of delivering more from a constrained funding envelope, supported by strength in strategy, digital and data. An understanding of the machinery of government, with the political astuteness and neutrality to build open, trusted relationships with Ministers, monitoring agencies and the Board. #J-18808-Ljbffr