• Lead, guide and inspire a high performing team
• Thrive in a values driven environment
• Feel the difference you make every day

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Waitaha - our Canterbury region - is like no other and we are proud to call it home. We have the privilege of working with Papatipu Rūnanga, stakeholders and our wider community to protect our environment, including water, land and air through regulation and planning. As a Regional Council we're responsible for flood protection, public transport, civil defence, and more.

Together we're taking action to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations. Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te tangata | if the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

This role leads our People Technology, Insights & Payroll function, ensuring our people data, systems and processes are reliable, strategic and continuously improving.

You’ll oversee the delivery of meaningful people insights, robust payroll services, and fit‑for‑purpose technology that supports organisational performance and great employee experiences. As a key people leader, you’ll foster strong partnerships, guide a high‑performing team, and enable informed, future‑focused decision‑making across the organisation.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You bring a strong blend of technical, analytical and people focused capability, with the confidence to lead a talented team and to influence across the organisation. You’re skilled at building trusted relationships, navigating complexity and providing clear, strategic advice that supports great decision-making.

You’ll enjoy this role if:

• You enjoy solving problems, improving systems and processes and working collaboratively to lift organisational performance.
• You’re committed to continuous learning, including developing your te ao Māori capability and supporting others to do the same.
• You thrive in a dynamic environment where you can balance operational delivery with long-term thinking.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

You’ll be tertiary qualified in Information Systems Management, Data Science or related field (HR desirable), or have the equivalent level of knowledge along with:

• At least five years’ experience in business information systems and / or analytics
• Experienced payroll practitioner, with advanced level of knowledge of related legislation
• Strong leadership capability and a commitment to service excellence
• Expertise in HR data, reporting, system improvement and implementation and process optimisation
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence across complex environments
• Project and change management experience

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury  

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

Applications close on 1 March 2026.  Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.  

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. 

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can