Chief Digital Officer

Whakairohia he toki, tāraia te anamata | Learning with purpose, creating our futures 

Chief Digital Officer

• Large and complex leadership role both strategically and operationally
• Assist in the reimagination of applied higher and vocational learning
• Flexible location

Te Pūkenga

Te Pūkenga - tēnei te ako, tēnei te tauira, tēnei te ara, tēnei te ahu, ka whakairihia ki te pae o whiti, maranga mai, he ora!

Te Pūkenga, a place which awakens potential, shapes capability to drive excellence and supports a thriving Aotearoa.

Formed in 2020 and tasked with the once-in-a generation opportunity to transform vocational learning across Aotearoa New Zealand, to unite the network of Polytechnics and Industry Training Organisations and create an education system fit for the future of work and that delivers exceptional learning experiences and equity, in learning and employment outcomes for learners and staff.

In the coming year Te Pūkenga will become the largest tertiary learning institute in Aotearoa New Zealand and we have some awesome aspirations for our mahi:

• Give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all that we do
• Provide exceptional learning experiences and equitable outcomes for Māori
• Be learner centred. Recognise the diverse and unique needs of all ākonga and staff and their whānau, empowering, diversity, belonging, safety and wellbeing
• Partner with employers to deliver relevant work-integrated education and training that meets skills needs
• Create barrier free access to, and mobility within, the network
• Deliver equitable and nationally consistent outcomes for all regions through responsive and flexible delivery
• Focus on efficient and cost-effective delivery across the network
• Become a connected, relevant and future focused provider driven by innovation, collaboration and teaching excellence

Kaupapa | Purpose

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive – Operations, the purpose of the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) is to assume a strategic role in the overall digital and information management of Te Pūkenga, working with the CIO's from across the network and in partnership with iwi and Māori partners during the transition phase, and moving to direct overall leadership and responsibility of digital and information within the new organisation being created.

Ngā Mahi | Do

The CDO will have primary responsibility for all Te Pūkenga IT systems, processes and technologies delivering system integration and maintaining system security. They will contribute to the setting of strategic priorities for Te Pūkenga and provide thought leadership and operational leadership to the function.

In addition the CDO will lead, deliver and champion cross functional strategies, activities and programmes of work within the Digital Strategy and ISSP.   Leading digital initiatives that are learner-centred and leverage data to support the delivery of Te Pūkenga strategy and vision, and learner experience.

The CDO will be responsible for three key areas:

• Leveraging digital & technology thought leadership to generate innovative ideas that transform the organisation and providing advice that supports executive decision-making
• Implementing frameworks, policies and standards to safeguard the organisation from IT risk and lead the adoption of good practice
• Providing IT systems, transactional services and expert capacity to enable the organisation to deliver on its educational priorities

Pūkenga | Have

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Extensive experience in digital technology leadership as an executive CIO or Chief Digital Officer, with full responsibility for delivery of digital and information technology processes and services, ideally including the Public Sector
• The ability to understand and apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles in your practice.
• Experience leading a business through significant transformation, understanding and balancing the needs of many stakeholders
• Experience in developing people and building a strong, collaborative, high performing inclusive and diverse technology team based over multiple locations.
• A proven track record in delivering equity and improved outcomes for end users
• Experience of the Māori and indigenous data, information and knowledge landscape – and specifically Māori data sovereignty
• Understanding of the levers and challenges of educational achievement within the Aotearoa New Zealand context and how technology can transform our practices and improve outcomes.
• Experience in effective risk management in a technology setting of significant scale
• Extensive knowledge and keep up to date with of current and upcoming trends in the IT field and issues affecting the applied higher and vocational education sector
• Sound judgement and proven skills to manage and think holistically across a broad range of issues.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to identify key audiences and implement strategies to achieve required decisions and actions

Waiaro | Be

The successful candidate will:

• Share the Te Pūkenga vision and purpose in a compelling way to motivate and unite their people, creating network wide energy and optimism for the future
• Be an enthusiastic and committed champion of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Equity, and courageously lead this within the digital and information management ecosystem of Te Pūkenga.
• Aligned with our position that data is taonga, particularly that of people and communities
• Champion data as a critical piece of a bigger environment where the curation and coordination of learner experiences is woven through our digital ecosystem.
• A senior leader, create a positive culture and connect an individual’s mahi to the goals of Te Pūkenga to drive high employee engagement
• An advocate for psychological and cultural safety, build diverse teams with broad skills and encourage open expression of diverse ideas and opinions
• Committed to Ako, continuous improvement, self-reflection, active learning and experimentation and encourage diverse thinking to nurture innovation
• Have one or more degree level qualifications or above in Information Technology or relevant field

Our Whānau

Te Pūkenga people love working there because they are a diverse and dynamic team who are committed to the purpose of learners and their whānau at the centre of all that they do. Some of their people have joined from the network of subsidiary organisations, others are new to the vocational education sector. They are united in and humbled by the opportunity they have, to create a system with a relentless focus on equity and that honours and gives practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

They value diversity of thought, skills, experience and backgrounds and welcome applications from everybody.

This position does not have a prescribed office location, they are a geographically dispersed team, and they value your ability to maintain your community and whānau connections.  From time to time there will be travel throughout the motu including to the office of Te Pūkenga in Kirikiriroa | Hamilton, you will be supported to work from home within Aotearoa | New Zealand when not travelling.

To Apply

To submit your application, please ‘Apply’ now. For a confidential discussion please call Dale Gray on 09 913 0172 or Melissa Dick on 09 913 0175. Please note all applications will be acknowledged electronically.  Applications for this role close on Friday 1st April 2022.