Head of People

About the organisation

Tourism New Zealand is a destination marketing leader with a mission to enrich Aotearoa New Zealand and the people who come here. Its work focuses on promoting New Zealand as a world-class destination while ensuring the benefits support the country and its future.

The opportunity

This is a key leadership position with accountability for guiding the People function and building stronger leadership, capability, and performance across Tourism New Zealand. You will partner with senior leaders to improve organisational outcomes through practical people strategies and initiatives that help staff do their best work.

The role blends strategic thinking with active delivery. Working alongside the GM Corporate Services, you will help design and implement the People Strategy and annual plans. You will also lead capability building, support the organisation’s adaptation to AI, and oversee important areas such as health and safety, wellbeing, organisational design, engagement, and performance management to lift results.

You will manage a People team that provides advisory, recruitment, and talent management support. In addition, you will champion digital tools and AI to improve how People services operate, with the aim of increasing efficiency, strengthening insights, and enhancing the employee experience.

What you will be responsible for

• Leading the People function and partnering with senior leaders to strengthen organisational performance.
• Co-developing and delivering the People Strategy and annual plans with the GM Corporate Services.
• Driving leadership, capability, and performance initiatives across the organisation.
• Overseeing safety, wellbeing, organisational design, engagement, and performance management practices.
• Managing a People team that supports advisory, recruitment, and talent management activities.
• Using digital tools and AI to improve People processes, insight, and employee experience.

What you need to bring

We are seeking a commercially minded People leader with strong strategic ability, sound judgement, and the confidence to build trusted relationships across a global organisation.

• Demonstrated experience leading a People function, preferably in a multi-country setting.
• A strong history of creating and delivering people initiatives, especially in leadership, capability, and performance.
• Solid employment relations knowledge and the ability to provide practical, clear advice.
• Experience embedding safety and wellbeing into organisational practice.
• Hands-on experience with AI, including leading AI capability development initiatives.
• A proven record of creating an engaged, values-driven, high-performing workplace.

This role will suit someone who enjoys strengthening capability, enabling high performance, and guiding organisations through change with confidence.

Why this role stands out

• A rare chance to lead the people function in a globally connected organisation.
• A high-performing culture supported by a purpose that matters: enriching Aotearoa New Zealand and everyone who visits.

Additional information

This is a full-time, permanent position based in Auckland.

How to apply

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter explaining their interest in the opportunity. All applications must be lodged online through the organisation’s careers website.

Application deadline

Applications close on Friday 17 July.