Chief People Officer

Job Description

Shape the workforce behind the future of justice.

We're seeking an exceptional Chief People Officer to lead the Ministry's people and workforce strategy at a pivotal time. Rising expectations, sustained fiscal pressure, rapid technological change and major transformation across courts and justice services are reshaping how we operate - and the leadership, capability and ways of working we need.

As an enterprise leader, you'll bring a clear people perspective to our most important decisions and turn strategy into practical, sustained action across the organisation.

This is a rare opportunity to influence the performance of one of New Zealand's largest and most complex public sector organisations, while building the workforce capability needed to deliver Te Pae Tāwhiti - our Future Operating Model for courts, tribunals and supporting justice services.

Te Haeata | The opportunity

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary Corporate Services, you'll set the strategic direction for People Experience and lead the development, delivery and review of the Ministry's people and workforce strategies. You'll ensure our workforce priorities anticipate future needs and enable technology-led and operating-model change, including Te Au Reka and Te Pae Tāwhiti.

Working with the Chief Executive, Strategic Leadership Team and senior leaders, you'll provide strategic challenge and trusted, evidence-informed advice on organisational performance, workforce opportunities and emerging people risks.

You'll lead an integrated, modern and trusted People Experience function to:

• anticipate future workforce, leadership and capability needs

• shape the workforce response to transformation and new ways of working

• embed workforce insight, forecasting and evidence in enterprise decisions

• deliver connected, responsive and high-quality people services

• provide authoritative leadership on employment relations, organisational change and complex people matters

• build a high-performing leadership team and a culture of accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Your leadership will strengthen organisational performance, enable successful transformation and help deliver better justice outcomes for New Zealanders.

Ō pūkenga | Skills and experience

We're looking for an accomplished executive who has shaped enterprise strategy and built workforce capability, culture and performance in a large, complex and changing environment.

You'll bring:

• a strong record of setting and delivering enterprise people and workforce strategies

• experience translating organisational strategy into clear workforce, leadership and capability priorities

• success leading a broad people function that combines strategic influence with trusted operational delivery

• deep expertise in employment relations, organisational change and contemporary people practice

• the ability to turn workforce data and insight into sound enterprise decisions

• a strong understanding of the machinery of government and the wider public sector environment

• the judgement, courage and credibility to influence chief executives, executive teams and senior leaders

• a record of building high-performing leadership teams and achieving results through others.

You'll be a strategic and systems thinker who sees across the enterprise, anticipates what is coming and converts ambition into action. Collaborative and courageous, you'll lead confidently through ambiguity while balancing immediate delivery with long-term transformation.

You'll also bring a genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, strengthening cultural capability and inclusion, and creating an environment where our people can thrive.

Mō mātou | About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture—the Ministry of Justice—we work to strengthen people's trust in the law of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our People Experience team builds the systems, leadership and workplace practices that enable our people to deliver accessible, effective justice services.

We welcome and support people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

Tono mai | Apply

To apply, select the Apply button below to visit our Careers website. There you can view the position description and submit your CV and cover letter.

Applications close on Sunday 15 November 2026. We'll review applications as they arrive and may invite candidates to interview before the closing date.

For a confidential discussion, contact Graham.Lees@justice.govt.nz.

Follow us on LinkedIn.