Group Head – Shared Services | Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Permanent | Full Time

Christchurch | Ōtautahi

Kia hiwa rā!

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is seeking an exceptional senior leader to take on the newly established role of Group Head - Shared Services. This is a pivotal executive appointment that sits at the heart of our organisation - shaping how we work, enabling our people, and driving the operational excellence that underpins our tribal vision.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a core member of Tuhiraki - the Senior Leadership Team of the Office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu - you will lead the integration and transformation of our key shared service functions: Toi Tangata (People & Capability), Legal, Marketing and Communications, Governance Services, and Whānau Support. Your mandate is clear: shift these functions from operating in silos into a cohesive, high-performing shared services model that enables every part of the Group to thrive.

This is more than an operational leadership role. As a Tuhiraki member, you will contribute to the highest levels of organisational decision-making, help operationalise Mō Kā Uri - Kāi Tahu 2050, and ensure our shared services are experienced across the Group as genuinely enabling - not merely administrative.

Mō te Tūnga – About the Role

The Group Head – Shared Services will:

Lead the design and delivery of an integrated, high-performing shared services model across Te Rūnanga Group

Contribute as a senior executive to organisational strategy and collective leadership through Tuhiraki

Drive the operationalisation of Mō Kā Uri Kāi Tahu 2050 through service excellence and strategic alignment

Establish clear service standards, frameworks and performance expectations across all functions

Build trusted relationships across Group entities, subsidiaries and Papatipu Rūnaka to ensure services meet genuine needs

Provide governance oversight and risk leadership across the shared services portfolio

Champion a culture of continuous improvement, capability development and accountability

Ko wāi koe – What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a values-driven executive with the depth of experience, values-alignment, and strategic acumen to lead at this level. The ideal candidate will bring:

Significant senior executive experience, with a track record of leading complex, cross-functional organisations or portfolios

Proven ability to design and deliver integrated shared services, operational transformation, or large-scale organisational change

Outstanding leadership capability - able to inspire, develop and hold accountable high-performing teams across diverse functions

Sophisticated stakeholder relationship skills, with the ability to build trust across a complex, multi-entity group

Sound governance instincts and experience providing executive-level reporting to Boards or equivalent

A tertiary qualification in a relevant field (Human Resources, Legal, Communications, Marketing or Strategy); relevant professional memberships highly regarded

An understanding of, or genuine eagerness to engage with, Ngāi Tahu values, tikanga and te reo Māori

Familiarity with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its practical application in an iwi or public sector context

Above all, we are looking for someone who gets things done. You will be decisive, energetic and hungry to make a real difference – someone who sees complexity as an opportunity, holds themselves and others to a high bar, and leaves every function better than they found it. An appreciation for the unique kaupapa of this organisation and who we serve will be what sets the best candidates apart.

Mō Mātou – About Us

Established in 1996, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is the organisation that services the tribe’s statutory rights and ensures the benefits of the Settlement grow for future generations. Everything we do is to deliver increased value and build a stronger economic, social and cultural base for Ngāi Tahu Whānui – “Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei” (for us and our children after us).

We are a values-led organisation that invests in the professional development of our kāimahi (employees). You will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of Ngāi Tahu histories and aspirations, work within a dynamic and excellence-driven culture, and contribute to intergenerational outcomes. We offer flexible working arrangements and are committed to supporting the wellbeing of you and your whānau.

Find out more about us: https://ngaitahu.iwi.nz/

For a copy of the position description, or for confidential enquiries, please contact Claire Bourne on email claire.bourne@ngaitahu.iwi.nz.

Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai!

Job Details

Reference #

36691

Business areas

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Posted on

Friday 24 Jul 2026

Closes on

09 Aug 2026 22:00

Expertise

Executive & General Management

Work type(s)

Full-time, Permanent