Head of Operations Christchurch 2

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead a key part of New Zealand’s immigration system within a fast‑paced, complex operating environment
• Champion people‑centred leadership, operational excellence, and a culture of continuous improvement
• Join a high‑performing, collaborative, and supportive site leadership team
• Permanent, full‑time role | Ōtautahi Christchurch
• Salary range: $132,417–$160,472 + KiwiSaver + Wellness benefits

About us:

Immigration New Zealand is transforming for the future. Visa Operations is central to our core services—granting visas, ensuring people entering or staying in Aotearoa have the right to do so, and supporting migrants and refugees to build their lives here. We work closely with border partners to help keep New Zealand safe.

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

As Head of Operations, you will be responsible for driving operational excellence across a high-volume visa processing site, leading teams of front line processing staff. You will ensure high-quality and timely decision-making, champion continuous improvement initiatives, and manage capacity and demand effectively.

Success in this role requires cultivating a people-focused, high-performance culture while leveraging your expertise in customer service delivery or large-scale operational environments. Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to inspire collaboration are essential.


In this role you will:

• Collaborate with the Operations Director to optimize service delivery, drive continuous improvement, and enhance overall performance and productivity.
• Champion a culture that prioritizes people and customers across Immigration New Zealand.
• Provide strategic and operational support to Visa Directors, contributing to product leadership, performance improvement and customer-focused enhancements.
• Maintain robust assurance frameworks while responding swiftly and effectively to evolving business needs.
• Develop staff capability to meet operational, strategic, and Ministerial priorities and expectations.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

• Demonstrated expertise in leading large-scale operational delivery functions or business units within complex organizational environments.
• Experience in guiding other leaders, focusing on developing talent, managing complex dynamics and inspiring innovation.
• An inclusive, collaborative, and authentic leadership style that prioritizes people and fosters engagement.
• Ability to provide a broad operational perspective combined with strong business acumen and leadership capability.
• Proven track record in leading change initiatives and driving workforce innovation.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to navigate complex political and organizational landscapes.
• Experience implementing quality frameworks and processes that enhance productivity and elevate customer service standards.
• Applied expertise in risk management to support sound decision-making and operational integrity.
• Comprehensive knowledge and practical interpretation of legislation, ideally within an immigration context.

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description.

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process. We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Nik Sharma at nikhil.sharma@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/18917 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday, 25 January 2026