Chief Executive
Whitireia and WelTec Institute of Technology
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Lead a defining new chapter for Whitireia and WelTec Institute of Technology
- Champion tertiary education, vocational pathways and workforce development strategies
- Drive significant turnaround and strategically focused growth
THE OPPORTUNITY
Whitireia and WelTec are entering a critical and exciting new chapter. From 1 January 2027, they will operate as a single, independent regional public entity.
The mandate is clear and urgent. Restore financial sustainability, operate fiscally independently and establish a platform for growth. Central to this is an enduring commitment to excellence in vocational education and training endorsed through valued partnerships with mana whenua, industry, employers, graduates and communities.
This is a significant leadership opportunity to shape the next chapter of two institutions with proud histories and distinctive identities, while future proofing a unified, sustainable and high-performing tertiary education organisation.
THE ROLE
Reporting to Council, the Chief Executive is accountable for the strategic, educational, financial and operational performance of Whitireia and WelTec.
The mandate is transformational leadership at speed and scale. Strategic thinking and execution, strong commercial judgement and decisive leadership are essential.
The Chief Executive will lead for performance across a sizeable, diverse and multi-site workforce dedicated to educational excellence and workforce development strategies.
Financial stewardship is central to the role. The Chief Executive will drive optimisation strategies and crucial cost controls, balancing fiscal discipline and risk with future opportunities for investment, partnership and growth.
The Chief Executive will build influential relationships and expansive industry networks, collaborating for regional and international advantage. They will explore opportunities for working across the tertiary education network.
They will champion practitioner-led, technology-enabled education and training, ensuring that robust academic governance, quality assurance and performance frameworks underpin educational delivery.
The Chief Executive will maintain and strengthen partnerships with mana whenua and demonstrate a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
THE CANDIDATE
Whitireia and WelTec are seeking a transformational leader with the experience, foresight and resilience to deliver the transformational mandate.
They will bring:
- Significant Chief Executive, Managing Director or equivalent experience in a large, complex organisation.
- Demonstrated success in organisational turnaround, with evidence of delivering and optimising change initiatives at speed and scale.
- Acute financial and commercial acumen, ensuring robust financial stewardship, appropriate cost controls, revenue growth and optimisation strategies.
- Strategic clarity with the ability to translate this into disciplined execution with measurable performance.
- Experience leading sizeable, diverse and multi-site workforces through significant change and integration.
- A track record of making strategic portfolio, structural, investment and resource decisions.
- A deep commitment to vocational education, industry partnerships and workforce development.
- Solid experience operating within governance, statutory and high-accountability environments.
- A respected history of partnering with mana whenua and demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
A reputation for principled, disciplined and decisive leadership, complemented by authenticity, empathy, resilience and pragmatism are key attributes required. The successful candidate will be an extraordinary leader and legacy guardian, respecting the history, identity and provenance of Whitireia and WelTec while having the dedication, skills and conviction to lead the next chapter.
We invite you to discuss this exceptional leadership opportunity with David Price from the HardyGroup
M. +64 (0)21 0239 2211 | E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
About Whitireia and WelTec
Currently operating within the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), Whitireia and WelTec Institute of Technology will transition to an independent statutory entity, with the transfer of operations and assets taking effect from 1 January 2027. This new chapter signals the formal integration of two longstanding and prominent tertiary education institutions in the Wellington region.
Whitireia and WelTec are committed to maintaining and strengthening partnerships with mana whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As a public tertiary institution, it operates within a statutory and high-accountability environment, with responsibilities to its students, staff, communities, partners and the wider public.
Role Specification
The Chief Executive will translate Council’s strategic direction into clear priorities, disciplined execution and measurable organisational performance.
- Executive Leadership and Turnaround
Significant Chief Executive, Managing Director or equivalent executive experience leading large, complex organisations. Proven success delivering organisational turnaround and transformational change at speed and scale, setting clear priorities and driving measurable performance.
- Financial and Commercial Leadership
Acute financial and commercial acumen, with demonstrated success restoring and strengthening organisational sustainability. Proven experience in financial stewardship, cost control, revenue generation and investment decision-making, balancing fiscal discipline and risk with opportunities for growth.
- Strategic Portfolio and Asset Optimisation
Significant experience managing portfolio optimisation, ensuring resources are directed to strategic and educational priorities. Evidence of effective stewardship of capital portfolios and physical and digital infrastructure. Proven ability to provide robust analysis to support consolidation, divestment or growth.
- People Leadership and Integration
Proven leadership of sizeable, diverse and multi-site workforces through significant change. Demonstrated success integrating people, systems and structures, building strong executive teams and establishing clear performance and financial accountability at all levels. Skilled at leading workforce planning and organisational capability development and fostering a culture characterised by accountability, collaboration, adaptability and innovation.
- Vocational Education and Workforce Development
A deep commitment to vocational education, workplace training and workforce development. Demonstrated ability to connect education and training with industry, employer and labour market needs while championing educational quality and successful graduate outcomes.
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Strategic Partnerships
A respected history of partnering with iwi and mana whenua and demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Proven ability to build and maintain influential relationships across industry, government, communities and sector partners.
- Governance, Public Accountability and Leadership Character
Demonstrated success operating within governance, statutory, regulatory and high-accountability environments and maintaining the trust and confidence of a Council or Board. Evidence of implementing effective systems for risk management, assurance and internal controls. A reputation for principled, disciplined and decisive leadership, with high integrity, strategic clarity, resilience, pragmatism and the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
Please discuss with HardyGroup Consultant
Service Location: must be based or contractually commit to residing within the boundaries of Porirua, the Hutt Valley or Wellington.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 18th September 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5440
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)49 410 1082 / E: azuniga@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant, David Price;
- A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- 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
National Manager, HardyGroup New Zealand
M. +64 (0)21 0239 2211
E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
ABOUT US
HardyGroup’s (HG) mission is simple
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.
When engaging HG you can be confident in a deeply personalised experience and service as nothing matters more to us than relationships and results.