Executive Director of People & Wellbeing

Role overview

This is a senior executive appointment leading the People and Wellbeing function at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT). Based in Napier, the role is responsible for shaping a forward-looking people strategy for an organisation with more than 700 staff. The focus is on strengthening wellbeing, safety, culture and organisational capability so kaimahi, ākonga and the wider communities EIT serves can succeed.

About EIT

Eastern Institute of Technology is a well-established tertiary education provider with campuses in Hawke’s Bay (Napier), Gisborne and five regional learning centres. EIT delivers programmes from foundation level through to Master’s degrees, and also operates an international postgraduate campus in Auckland, along with offshore partnerships in China and the Cook Islands. The institute reflects a broad regional reach and an ongoing commitment to growth and diversity.

Leadership and scope

Reporting directly to the CEO and working as part of the executive leadership team, you will provide both strategic direction and day-to-day leadership across people and culture, payroll, and health and safety. The role covers employment relations, organisational development, remuneration and rewards, industrial relations, HR advisory support, compliance, equity and continuous improvement. A key part of the position is building workforce capability in ways that improve teaching, learning and learner support outcomes.

What success looks like

You will bring a collaborative, partnership-based approach, along with evidence-led decisions and values-driven leadership. Embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, together with equity, diversity and inclusion, will be central to strengthening organisational resilience, building leadership capability, increasing confidence across the workforce, and creating safe and respectful environments where people and learning can thrive.

Ideal background

This opportunity is suited to a progressive and future-oriented executive HR leader with strong strategic thinking, practical technical capability and authentic modern leadership. Experience in complex commercial, community-focused or tertiary education environments would be an advantage.

Additional information

This is an important opportunity to apply best-practice thinking, rigour and strong leadership to EIT’s people and wellbeing strategy, while lifting workforce capability to better support ākonga and advance the institute’s educational mission.

Application details

Please submit an application through the portal or contact Rachel Cornwall at Populous People for a confidential conversation on 0272 565620.

Closing date

Applications close at 4:00pm on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.

Eligibility

Only applicants with full New Zealand working rights can be considered for this position.