General Manager
Performance and Enablement
Education New Zealand
Manapou ki te Ao
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
Scroll down to access everything you need.
Executive Summary
- Lead enterprise planning, performance and resource stewardship, aligning strategy, investment and organisational capability.
- Contribute to ENZ’s strategic direction, performance and stewardship as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Provide senior leadership across government and NZ Inc relationships and critical enabling functions to strengthen ENZ’s impact.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) plays a vital role in growing New Zealand's international education sector, working with partners here and offshore towards an ambitious goal of more than doubling its export value by 2034.
The General Manager Performance & Enablement is a pivotal executive leadership role, helping ENZ turn strategy into action by aligning organisational planning, performance, investment, resources and capability. Reporting to the Chief Executive and contributing as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the role has significant scope to influence enterprise priorities, organisational performance, investment decisions and stewardship.
Based in Wellington, the position brings together strategic leadership, organisational stewardship and senior government engagement, ensuring ENZ has the capability, resources and relationships to maximise its contribution to New Zealand.
THE ROLE
The General Manager Performance & Enablement will provide enterprise-wide leadership across strategic planning, performance, governance, investment prioritisation and organisational enablement. A central focus will be aligning strategy, resources and delivery, strengthening accountability and ensuring leaders have the insights and support needed to make informed decisions.
The role provides executive oversight across Insights & Performance and ENZ’s key enabling functions, including People & Capability, Finance, Digital Technology, and Government Relations & Communications. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, the General Manager will champion continuous improvement, organisational capability and high-performance practices that enable ENZ to deliver on its commitments.
A defining aspect of the role is providing senior leadership, alongside the Senior Leadership Team, for ENZ’s strategic engagement across government and NZ Inc. The General Manager will build trusted senior relationships with Ministers’ offices, government agencies and key partners, provide executive oversight of ministerial advice and accountability requirements, and represent ENZ in senior government and NZ Inc forums, including on behalf of the Chief Executive when required.
THE CANDIDATE
This opportunity calls for an accomplished, strategically minded executive with at least 10 years' senior leadership experience across strategy, organisational performance, governance, organisational effectiveness, public sector delivery or related enterprise functions.
Candidates will bring demonstrated success translating strategy into integrated plans and measurable outcomes, leading organisational performance and capability-building initiatives, and aligning investment, resources and organisational capacity with strategic priorities. They will combine strong commercial and organisational acumen with sound judgement, an enterprise-wide perspective and the ability to navigate complexity and competing demands.
A strong understanding of the machinery of government, public sector stewardship and accountability requirements will be essential, alongside the credibility and relationship skills to influence senior stakeholders across government and partner organisations.
Equally important will be an inclusive, collaborative and values-led leadership approach, with the ability to develop high-performing teams, foster shared accountability and champion a culture that reflects ENZ's values, Ngā Manapou, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
A relevant tertiary qualification and commitment to ongoing professional development and contemporary leadership practice are expected.
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
Education New Zealand
Manapou ki te Ao
About Us
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is a Crown entity whose role and functions are set out in section 511 of the Education and Training Act 2020. ENZ is primarily funded by the New Zealand Government through Vote Tertiary Education. ENZ has a dedicated focus on international education and brings the New Zealand Government’s goals for international education to life, bringing benefits to New Zealanders and international learners.
Our name, Manapou ki te Ao, defines our part in enabling students to flourish and in creating the world’s next generation of problem solvers:
- Manapou means supporting and sustaining life which allows growth and progression
- Ki Te Ao is a call to action for us to take New Zealand’s education to the world.
Team purpose - Senior Leadership Team
Our Senior Leadership Team is collectively accountable for setting ENZ’s strategic direction and leading organisational performance. Working collaboratively, members bring their specialist expertise and an enterprise-wide perspective to align priorities and resources, manage risks and opportunities, and support a high-performing, future-focused organisation.
Ngā Manapou are the values and behaviours of ENZ that all employees strive to uphold.
Our Purpose
Education New Zealand’s purpose is to grow New Zealand's international education sector. We work with partners in New Zealand and offshore to achieve our goal of more than doubling the export value of international education by 2034.
In 2026/27, ENZ is focused on three interconnected areas:
- Supporting sector growth through delivery of growth plans
- Delivering strategies, advice and activities to connect and enable international education
- Fostering a high-performing, culturally capable organisation
Our Outcome
International education is a key plank in the Government’s economic growth plan.
ENZ aims to achieve the outcomes of the International Education - Going for Growth Plan, enabling a thriving and globally connected New Zealand through world-class international education.
International education is one of New Zealand’s key export revenue generating sectors. International education generates jobs, supports the labour market, attracts and retains global talent, and enhances New Zealand’s bilateral and multilateral relationships. Relationships created through international education support New Zealand’s relationships with key trading partners and help develop opportunities for growth in many other sectors. International education is an important contributor to New Zealand’s economy and international connections. The Government’s Going for Growth ambition is to double the value of international education by 2034.
For further reading:
Role Specification
As General Manager Performance & Enablement, you will play a pivotal role in helping ENZ deliver its strategic priorities and maximise its impact for New Zealand. You will lead the organisation's planning, performance, governance and enablement functions, ensuring strategy, investment, resources and delivery are aligned across ENZ. You will lead our connections with the rest of the government agencies, ministers' office, and ministry.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will contribute to the leadership, performance and stewardship of ENZ, bringing an enterprise-wide perspective to strategic decision-making and organisational priorities. You will provide leadership across planning, performance, investment prioritisation and accountability reporting, helping to connect day-to-day delivery with long-term strategic outcomes.
Working closely with the Chief Executive and the rest of the SLT, you will provide strategic advice, organisational insight and decision support that enables informed choices and drives organisational success. Through your leadership, ENZ will be well positioned to deliver sustainable outcomes, respond to changing priorities, be well aligned with NZ Inc and maximise its long-term impact for New Zealand.
Organisational planning, performance & enablement
- Provide strategic oversight of enterprise planning, performance and enablement frameworks that support the delivery of ENZ's strategy
- Ensure strategic priorities are translated into integrated plans, clear performance expectations and organisational outcomes
- Champion peak performance disciplines that strengthen delivery across ENZ
- Enable organisational capability through effective systems, tools and leadership support
- Oversight of key enabling functions (people and capability, finance, government relations, communications and digital technology)
Governance, insights & continuous improvement
- Lead enterprise governance, performance reporting and organisational insights
- Provide evidence-based advice and analysis to support strategic decision-making
- Maintain robust assurance and reporting frameworks that support transparency and accountability
- Champion continuous improvement that enhances organisational effectiveness and impact
Investment, resource stewardship & delivery
- Lead enterprise investment planning and resource prioritisation
- Align organisational resources and capacity with strategic priorities
- Optimise the use of organisational resources to maximise value, impact and sustainability
- Support disciplined delivery of organisational priorities and commitments
Government relations & NZ Inc engagement
- Lead, alongside SLT, ENZ’s strategic engagement with government, Ministers, agencies and NZ Inc partners, ensuring ENZ is well positioned to influence and contribute to government priorities
- Build and maintain trusted senior-level relationships across government and key stakeholder networks to advance ENZ’s strategic objectives
- Provide executive oversight of ministerial advice, servicing and accountability requirements, ensuring they are timely, credible and of consistently high quality
- Represent ENZ in senior government and NZ Inc forums, strengthening alignment, collaboration and collective impact
Enterprise leadership
- Contribute to the strategic direction, performance and stewardship of ENZ as a member of the SLT
- Foster collaboration, shared accountability and an enterprise-wide approach to achieving organisational outcomes
- Lead and develop high-performing teams that deliver trusted advice and quality outcomes.
- Champion ENZ's values (Ngā Manapou) and cultivate an inclusive, high-performing culture where people can thrive
1. Strategic Leadership and Execution – Demonstrated ability to provide enterprise-wide strategic leadership, translating organisational priorities into integrated plans, measurable outcomes and effective delivery.
2. Organisational Performance and Governance – Proven experience leading performance, governance, assurance and accountability frameworks that strengthen organisational effectiveness, transparency and continuous improvement.
3. Investment and Resource Stewardship – Demonstrated ability to align investment, financial resources and organisational capacity with strategic priorities, ensuring sustainable performance and value.
4. Government Relations and Stakeholder Influence – Proven ability to build trusted senior-level relationships, influence decision-making and navigate complex government, ministerial and stakeholder environments.
5. Organisational Enablement and Transformation – Experience leading multidisciplinary enabling functions, strengthening organisational capability, systems and ways of working to support performance and change.
6. Strategic Judgement and Decision-Making – Demonstrated ability to provide insightful, evidence-based advice, navigate complexity and competing priorities, and influence sound executive and organisational decisions.
7. Executive Leadership and Culture – Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, foster collaboration and shared accountability, and champion an inclusive, values-led culture that reflects Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Essential additional criteria:
- At least 10 years' senior leadership experience in relevant enterprise or public sector functions.
- Strong understanding of the machinery of government, public sector stewardship and accountability requirements.
- Relevant tertiary qualification and commitment to ongoing professional development.
To be discussed with HG Principal Consultant
Reports to: Chief Executive
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Direct Reports: Up to 7
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 25th November 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5525
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:
- Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 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
HG National Manager, New Zealand
M. +64 (0)210 2392211
E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN WELLINGTON
Wellington: New Zealand’s Creative Capital
Nestled between rolling hills and a rugged coastline, Wellington is a city that thrives on creativity, culture, and character. Often referred to as the coolest little capital in the world, Wellington may be small in size, but it’s big on personality. With a vibrant arts scene, a thriving café culture, and a strong sense of community, Wellington offers a dynamic lifestyle for professionals and creatives alike.
Living in Wellington
Wellington is a city where nature and urban life blend seamlessly. You can hike through native bush in the morning and enjoy world-class coffee or craft beer by the waterfront in the afternoon. The city is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore its eclectic neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm.
Climate
Wellington has a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool, wet winters. Known for its wind – it’s not called “Windy Wellington” for nothing – the city still enjoys a generous amount of sunshine, averaging around 2,000 hours per year. The weather adds to the city's dramatic coastal beauty and invigorating atmosphere.
Diversity
Wellington is a melting pot of cultures, with a strong Māori presence and a growing international community. The city celebrates its diversity through festivals, food, and inclusive public spaces. Whether you're new to New Zealand or a long-time resident, Wellington offers a welcoming environment where different cultures are embraced.
Working in Wellington: As the political and cultural heart of New Zealand, Wellington is home to government agencies, embassies, and a thriving creative sector. The city is a hub for film, digital media, and design, with world-renowned companies like Weta Workshop and Weta Digital calling it home. Tech, education, and public service are also strong employment sectors, making Wellington an attractive destination for professionals across a wide range of industries.
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.