Chief of Staff

Position Overview

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu seeks a highly capable Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer located in Christchurch, Ōtautahi. This permanent full-time role is a pivotal leadership position within a sophisticated and high-impact organization. The appointed individual will act as the CEO's essential enabler, strategic advisor, and organizational coordinator, ensuring smooth operational flow across the entire Te Rūnanga Group and its external relations.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the CEO is comprehensively prepared for all engagements, meetings, decisions, and discussions by anticipating requirements proactively.
• Continuously assess the political environment to deliver concise, actionable insights to the CEO.
• Track progress against the CEO’s strategic goals across the Senior Leadership Team (Tuhiraki) and the broader group, escalating risks and managing key dialogues.
• Compose and polish high-quality correspondence, speeches, briefings, and board documentation on behalf of the CEO.
• Drive coordination of cross-departmental projects, removing obstacles and fostering team alignment.
• Lead or assist with vital special projects and organizational reviews as directed by the CEO.
• Oversee the CEO’s governance-related tasks, ensuring timely delivery of top-quality documents and clear monitoring of board commitments and resolutions.
• Act as a trusted liaison within the Group, cultivating relationships with senior managers, governance personnel, and external stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive experience supporting senior executives in chief of staff, chief advisor, or comparable influential roles requiring high trust.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, adept at tailoring tone to diverse audiences and contexts.
• Strong political savvy and organizational insight, skilled at interpreting people, environments and systems accurately and reacting appropriately.
• Ability to quickly analyze complex information and convey it clearly and precisely.
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and strong system management skills to maintain quality under pressure.
• Proven capacity to juggle competing priorities, work effectively in fast-paced conditions, and remain composed.
• Well-developed understanding of New Zealand’s political, governmental, and iwi contexts.
• Reliable, discreet, and sound judgement, capable of managing sensitive information with absolute confidentiality.
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline such as law, policy, politics, business, communications, or management.
• Familiarity with or a genuine interest in Ngāi Tahu culture, values, tikanga, and te reo Māori.

About Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Formed in 1996, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu supports the tribe’s statutory rights and nurtures the benefits of the Settlement for future generations. Its core mission is to enhance the economic, social, and cultural foundations for Ngāi Tahu Whānui—"Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei" (for us and for those who come after us). The organization values professional growth, offers a dynamic culture emphasizing excellence, flexible working conditions, and prioritizes the wellbeing of its team and their families.

Additional Information

For confidential inquiries or to request the detailed position description, contact Claire Bourne via email. Applicants are welcomed to join a culturally rich and outcomes-driven environment where proactive initiative and completion-oriented individuals thrive.