Deputy Chief Executive -
Operations and Academic Delivery
Auckland International Campus
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Lead the academic delivery, operational performance and learner success functions of Auckland International Campus (AIC), ensuring high‑quality education, strong graduate outcomes and alignment with organisational strategy and values.
- Drive innovation, educational excellence and organisational resilience across a complex stakeholder environment, strengthening AIC’s capability, systems and reputation as a premier provider of international vocational and tertiary education.
- Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, foster a high‑performing and culturally competent workforce, and ensure sustainable management of resources, quality standards and campus operations in a dynamic, fast‑changing sector.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a rare and influential executive leadership opportunity to shape the operational excellence and academic delivery of Auckland International Campus (AIC), a high-profile international education partnership between Future Skills and Otago Polytechnic.
Reporting to the Chief Executive – International Division, the Deputy Chief Executive (DCE) Operations and Academic Delivery will play a pivotal role in ensuring AIC is recognised as a provider of high-quality, innovative and employment-focused tertiary education for international learners.
This role is suited to a senior leader who brings a can-do, hands-on leadership style. Someone willing to roll up their sleeves, work through complexity and engage directly with people, data and delivery, rather than lead solely through delegation. It is a role that balances strategic intent with operational depth, requiring both big-picture thinking and the ability to work confidently through detail.
THE ROLE
The DCE Operations and Academic Delivery holds end-to-end accountability for academic delivery, educational quality, learner success, support services and campus operations at Auckland International Campus.
Working closely with the CEO, Board and executive colleagues across AIC, Otago Polytechnic and Future Skills, the role translates strategy into execution, leading a portfolio of strategically aligned projects while ensuring day-to-day operations remain strong, responsive and learner-centred.
Key elements of the role include:
- Providing educational leadership that champions innovation, quality teaching and strong graduate employability outcomes within an international education context.
- Leading strategic and operational planning, with the ability to move seamlessly between high-level priorities and practical implementation.
- Driving learner success and educational performance, using data and insight to monitor engagement, retention and completions, and acting quickly where intervention is required.
- Leading a diverse, engaged and high-performing team, fostering accountability, collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence.
- Exercising strong commercial and financial acumen, including effective budget management, resource allocation and delivery against business plan targets.
- Influencing across complex stakeholder environments, including regulators, government agencies, partners and industry, to support AIC’s reputation, growth and sustainability.
- Upholding and embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, ensuring cultural competence and improved outcomes for Māori learners.
The role has a broad leadership remit, overseeing senior academic, student success, quality, finance and operational functions, and plays a key role in ensuring AIC remains agile and resilient in a dynamic international education market.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be a credible and respected leader within international and tertiary education, with the gravitas to operate at executive and Board level and the practical mindset to engage deeply with operations.
They will be known for being both strategic and operational, able to quickly grasp complex environments, interpret data, connect the dots and move decisively from insight to action. This is a role for a leader who enjoys being close to the work, understands how organisations function at a practical level, and leads through influence rather than instruction.
The ideal candidate will:
- Bring deep experience and credibility in international education, with a strong understanding of regulatory, quality and learner experience requirements.
- Be data-savvy and commercially astute, able to interpret information quickly, manage budgets effectively and make sound, timely decisions.
- Be a quick learner, comfortable navigating complexity and leading multiple projects aligned to strategic priorities.
- Demonstrate a collaborative, grounded leadership style that resonates with a diverse and engaged team.
- Lead change with confidence, pragmatism and optimism, maintaining momentum while bringing people with them.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
David Price
HG National Manager, New Zealand
M. +64 (0)210 2392211
E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
Auckland International Campus
Our vision is to develop New Zealand's most employable graduates.
Recognising the demand for education tailored specifically to international students, Future Skills and Otago Polytechnic partnered in 2012 and opened the Auckland International Campus (AIC).
Future Skills is a leading education and training provider based in Auckland which helps school leavers and other people further their education and get ready for the next step. It is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the New Zealand Ministry of Education.
Established in 1966 in Dunedin, Otago Polytechnic is a proud leader in hands-on, career-focused education. It has over 150 programmes and some of the best student achievement and satisfaction results in New Zealand, not to mention resounding endorsements from employers. There are three campuses throughout New Zealand; Dunedin, Central Otago and Auckland.
Both Future Skills and Otago Polytechnic are NZQA Category 1 Education Providers. This means NZQA is highly confident in our performance. You can find the latest Future Skills Quality Assurance Report here and the latest Otago Polytechnic report here.
We wanted to create a learning environment to give students who move to New Zealand to study the best experience and chance to succeed in their chosen career. We deliver high-quality English language and academic programmes and teach skills that lead to careers both here in New Zealand, and globally.
OUR MISSION
Build capability for a global workforce.
OUR VALUES
Empower: Enabling transforming, enjoying, sharing, inspiring, motivating and building capability and ownership
Embrace: Embracing challenge, change, difference, and diversity
Connect: We connect to stay informed relevant and influential
Integrity: Transparency, honesty, sincerity, consistency, reliability, equity, showing respect and being ethical
Excellence: An outstanding feature, standard or quality of being extremely good or the best
OUR PROGRAMS
AIC is an exciting, diverse and high-energy place to study. Our excellent range of programmes enhance employability. We achieve this by focusing on the highest academic standards and building close relationships with businesses to ensure we teach you what your future employers are looking for. When you graduate from AIC, you are ready to work and succeed in your chosen career.
Here at AIC, you’ll gain a top-quality qualification, have an amazing and enriching time, and put yourself in a great position for a career you love!
https://auckland.op.ac.nz/our-programmes
Role Specification
Auckland International Campus (AIC) provides quality education for international students of both Future Skills and Otago Polytechnic. The DCE Operations and Academic Delivery is responsible for the successful leadership and management of AIC operations, by contributing to, and executing, the strategic direction set by the CEO. They are accountable for the academic delivery, educational quality, learner success, support services and the sustainable management of campus resources.
Success in this role would result in AIC being a sound operation that achieves learner success and employment rates for our students in the upper 10% of the tertiary education sector and would result in a motivated and effective team. Other success factors are:
1. AIC operates in a manner that is consistent with its strategic direction and values.
2. AIC has the reputation and credibility as a provider of high quality vocational and tertiary education that is relevant to students, employers, and the community.
3. AIC’s graduates are employable.
4. Business plan growth-targets are accommodated.
5. Strategic partnerships are developed with key stakeholders that assist AIC in achieving its objectives.
1. Educational Leadership
Provide executive leadership to ensure Auckland International Campus is recognised for high-quality, innovative and relevant academic delivery. Champion excellence in teaching and learning, support strong learner success and employability outcomes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement aligned to AIC values and international education best practice.
2. Strategic Planning
Work closely with the Chief Executive – International and executive colleagues to shape and deliver strategic priorities. Translate organisational strategy into clear operational plans, allocate resources effectively, manage risk, and ensure delivery against agreed goals in a complex and evolving international education environment.
3. Learner Success and Educational Performance
Lead a strong focus on learner engagement, retention, completions and outcomes, using data and insight to monitor performance and drive improvement. Ensure learner success initiatives are well planned, effectively executed and aligned to organisational performance expectations.
4. Facilities and Resources
Oversee campus operations, facilities and resources to deliver a high-quality, learner-centred environment. Ensure operational systems and infrastructure support academic delivery, staff effectiveness and positive learner experiences, while maintaining efficiency and sustainability.
5. Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Uphold and champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi across AIC operations and academic delivery. Support bicultural capability, meaningful engagement with Māori, and initiatives that improve Māori learner outcomes, ensuring decisions are culturally informed and appropriate.
6. Change Leadership
Provide confident leadership through change, ensuring AIC remains agile, future-focused and resilient. Encourage innovation, develop leadership capability across the organisation, and support the delivery of change initiatives aligned to strategic goals.
7. Organisational Resilience and Performance
Ensure AIC operates as a sustainable and viable organisation, delivering against business plans, growth targets and financial expectations. Provide high-quality reporting to the Chief Executive, manage risk effectively, and support strong governance and decision-making.
8. Values, Culture and General Responsibilities
Model and embed AIC values, contribute positively to organisational culture, and uphold quality, health and safety, and pastoral care obligations. Actively participate in organisational initiatives, events and continuous learning to support overall campus success.
1. Executive Leadership in International and Tertiary Education
Demonstrated senior leadership experience within tertiary education preferably with international learners, with strong credibility in the sector. Proven understanding of academic delivery, quality assurance, regulatory environments (including NZQA, Immigration NZ and Education NZ), and the unique needs of international learners.
2. Strategic and Operational Leadership
A proven ability to operate seamlessly at both strategic and operational levels, shaping organisational direction while remaining closely engaged with execution. Comfortable working through detail, problem-solving in real time, and ensuring strategy is translated into practical, measurable outcomes.
3. Educational Quality, Academic Delivery and Learner Success
A strong track record in leading high-quality academic delivery, learner engagement and success initiatives. Demonstrated use of data and insight to improve retention, course completions, learner experience and graduate employability outcomes within vocational and tertiary settings.
4. Commercial Acumen and Financial Management
Demonstrated commercial judgement and financial discipline, including experience managing budgets, allocating resources effectively and balancing educational outcomes with commercial sustainability. Able to make informed investment and resourcing decisions that support growth and long-term viability.
5. Data-Informed Decision Making and Project Leadership
Highly data-literate and analytically capable, with the ability to quickly interpret information, identify trends and risks, and make timely, evidence-based decisions. Proven experience leading multiple projects aligned to strategic priorities, delivering outcomes on time and within budget.
6. Stakeholder Influence and Partnership Development
Proven capability to build and sustain complex internal and external relationships, including Boards, executive teams, regulators, government agencies, partners and employers. Skilled at influencing without authority and aligning diverse stakeholders around shared objectives.
7. People Leadership, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Change
A collaborative, values-led leader with a demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural competence and inclusive leadership. Proven experience leading diverse and engaged teams through change, developing leadership capability, and fostering a high-performance, learner-centred culture.
Please discuss with HardyGroup Consultant
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer - International Division
Direct Reports: TBC Up to 6 Positions
Internal:
Auckland International Campus (AIC) Senior Managers
Otago Polytechnic (OP)
- Executive and Senior Management team
- Heads of Relevant Schools
Future Skills
- Senior Management Leadership team
External:
Relevant Government Departments and Agencies, especially:
- Tertiary Education Commission
- NZ Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
- Immigration NZ
- Education NZ
Auckland employers, businesses, community, and ethnic groups
Auckland City Council and local authorities
Other educational institutions in NZ and offshore.
Service Location: Auckland, New Zealand
The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 17 February 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5346
Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Aldie Zuñiga: M: +61 (0)494 101 082 / E: azuniga@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 2.A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- 3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
David Price
HG National Manager, New Zealand
M. +64 (0)210 2392211
E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN AUCKLAND
A city built by volcanoes, Auckland came to life when some 53 of the rumbling mountains were created between 60,000 and 140,000 years ago, and the vibe of New Zealand’s largest settlement is every bit as exciting as you might expect from a town born this way.
Auckland has practically everything to offer the skilled professional, with every street, nook and cranny offering something new to discover. With more boats per head than anywhere else on Earth, Auckland is known as the City of Sails – and you’ll be sure to sail through the city’s finest delights when you arrive.
Living in Auckland
In Auckland, there’s something new to discover on every street – and on the water. That’s right – there are more boats per head here than anywhere else on the planet. Not for no reason is Auckland nicknamed the ‘City Of Sails’!
Climate
Aucklanders enjoy a warm temperate climate. Summers are usually warm and humid while winters are mild and wet. The city boasts an average of 2,060 sunshine hours per annum – plenty to go around!
Diversity
Did you know that when it comes to diversity, Auckland is fourth in the world? That’s right – more than 200 ethnic communities live and work in Auckland, and of those, approximately one-third were born overseas. That means that it’s easy to make friends here, and mixing with people from all creeds and cultures is an absolute cinch.
Working in Auckland
As you might expect, as NZ’s largest city, Auckland boasts the biggest economy in the country. It’s here where many of New Zealand’s most innovative companies set up shop, including multinationals and national brands. As a settlement area, Auckland is by far and away the most populous in New Zealand – around one-third of the country live and work in the area, or nearby.
It’s a city in which there is huge growth in a great many sectors, the employment options are greater here than pretty much anywhere else in New Zealand. Construction, technology and IT are all booming right now, alongside media, communications and everything in between.
ABOUT US
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Find and Grow Great Leaders - and we have been doing exactly that for more than 30 years in public and private health, primary, community and aged care as well as the broader public service.
Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.
It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.
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