Job Description

Strategic Workforce Business Partner

Wellington | Permanent, full time

A trusted partnership role with real influence - leading workforce planning that supports public-purpose delivery.

This is a newly created role for a strategic workforce business partner who can design, develop and deliver multi-year workforce strategy and plans, partnering closely with the Chief People Officer. You’ll work in a high-trust environment, supporting leaders with clear advice and practical options.

About the organisation | Mō te whakahaere

The organisation has a strong public purpose, high integrity and high standards of professionalism and accountability, with a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It operates with a clear mandate and a strong focus on independent, evidence-led decision-making.

About the role | Mō te tūranga

You will lead strategic workforce planning end-to-end, translating business priorities into a clear workforce plan and strategy. Partnering with SLT stakeholders as a member of the People and Capability management team, this is a high-influence role in a complex environment, where judgement, credibility and pragmatism matter.

The opportunity | He Angitūtanga

• Partner closely with the Chief People Officer in a visible, enterprise-facing role.
• Design and lead the rolling multi-year workforce planning cycle, embedding fit-for-purpose governance and tools.
• Work with leaders to agree critical capability gaps, talent pipelines, and practical demand/resource allocation options.
• Deliver workforce insights, metrics and reporting (with People Operations and Finance) to support investment decisions and risk mitigation.

Experience | Ngā wheako matua

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• 7+ years’ experience in strategic workforce planning (or adjacent workforce analytics/HR partnering), including leading strategic people initiatives aligned to workforce strategy.
• Credibility with senior stakeholders - able to influence, challenge constructively and land clear recommendations.
• Strong scenario planning and analytical capability, translating priorities into practical options and programmes.
• Clear communicator with strong data storytelling; able to produce executive-ready papers and governance reporting.
• Sound judgement and a pragmatic, risk-aware approach to solving problems
• Project management capability and confidence delivering through influence.
• Exposure to professional services environments is advantageous.
• We welcome candidates from across sectors who bring pace and pragmatism to a public-purpose environment.

About you | He kōrero mōu

You’re a pragmatic, high-trust people and capability practitioner who combines strategic thinking with delivery discipline and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

How to apply | Tono mai

Click Apply to submit your CV and covering letter.

Applications close: Friday 11 April 2025, however we will be reviewing applications as we receive them.

For a confidential kōrero, or for a copy of the position description, contact:

Maria Lyons - Senior Consultant, Niche Recruitment
021 403 855 or maria.lyons@nicherecruitment.co.nz