Manu Tāiko | Associate Director, Employment Law and Employment Relations

The Opportunity

• Are you seeking an opportunity to put your broad employment relations experience into practice in a leadership role with Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington?
• Lead the University’s employment law, employment relations, collective bargaining and HR policy work.
• This is the opportunity to shape modern and practical employment frameworks, agreements, policies and bargaining approaches.
• Join the Te Pūmanawa Tāngata - Human Resources Leadership Team and help build capability, manage risk and strengthen relationships across the University.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the Role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is seeking a Manu Tāiko - Associate Director, Employment Law and Employment Relations to lead the University’s employment law & employment relations team.

Working as a member of the Te Pūmanawa Tāngata - Human Resources Leadership team you will lead our specialist team responsible for the University’s employment matters, collective bargaining and HR policy functions. You and your team will provide trusted strategic, legal and operational advice to senior leaders, managers and HR colleagues, helping shape key organisational decisions and navigate complex and/or high-risk employment matters.

Working closely with the Manu Tāiko - Associate Director, People Operations, you will strengthen case-management capability, maintain the University’s employment agreements and employment documentation, and support the effective implementation of bargaining outcomes.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the University’s employment relations frameworks and approach to collective bargaining, employment agreements and workplace policy and employment risk management. Working across the University, you will build strong relationships with senior leaders, unions, Legal Services and HR colleagues, strengthen employment law and case-management capability, and deliver work with visible and lasting impact.

Ō pūmanawa - About You

We are looking for a credible and pragmatic leader with:

• Extensive employment relations experience, including leading complex and high-risk employment matters and working with employment law specialists.
• Proven experience leading or playing a senior role in collective bargaining and building constructive relationships with unions and senior stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employment relations practice, human resources principles, with the ability to translate legal risk into practical organisational advice.
• Demonstration people leadership experience, including developing capability and leading specialist teams.
• Proven influencing and negotiation skills, with the judgement to provide clear and practical advice.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• A commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• The ability to work within a diverse, complex, and large employer.

Role Description: Click here to see further information.

If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University careers page.

Close date for vacancy: 5pm, 28 October 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Kate Tibbitts, Chief People Officer (022 014 2630, kate.tibbitts@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.

Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.

About Company

Ētahi kōrero hai āwhina i a koe - Why you should join our team

Be part of a dynamic department dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative workplace. Engage in initiatives that prioritize staff wellbeing and professional growth. With a focus on health, safety, and a vibrant work culture, the Te Pūmanawa Tāngata - Human Resources team is where your career can thrive.

Company

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here. Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.