About the Opportunity
This is a significant opportunity to step into an enterprise digital leadership role with Port of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and most strategically important port, at a time phase of successful organisational transformation. Reporting to the CEO, this role sits on the Executive Leadership Team while leading a 60-person Digital function spanning technology, architecture, service delivery, digital strategy and cyber security.
With strong cultural and performance foundations now established, the business is focused on building upon operational confidence while shaping its next digital horizon. This role will build upon critical technology foundations, strengthen delivery capability, and define a pragmatic digital agenda that enables safety, efficiency, productivity, and long-term business performance.
- Shape enterprise performance by partnering with leaders and teams across the business to strengthen culture, improve execution, and enhance overall organisational performance
- Own and lead the Digital function, delivering operational stability, capability, and enterprise outcomes
- Define and execute a business-led, fit for purpose digital strategy aligned to future growth goals
- Deliver, then transform critical systems and programmes into a trusted, scalable ecosystem
- Strengthen digital governance, investment discipline, and strategic vendor partnerships
- Build a high performing Digital team while embedding High Performance, High Engagement (HPHE) ways of working
What You’ll Bring
- Proven senior executive leadership in digital or technology within complex industrial, operational and asset intensive environments
- Business-led technologist with strong commercial judgement focused on outcomes
- Strong execution track record delivering stability and transformation in complex settings
- Technical credibility across digital operations, mission critical systems, and vendors
- Enterprise leader, comfortable at ELT and Board level, influencing strategic decisions
- Proven ability to lead large enterprise delivery programmes, navigate complex environments and sequence transformation effectively
- Collaborative, transparent leadership aligned to High Performance, High Engagement values
- Strong learning agility and ability to build leadership depth and reduce key person risk
- Experience in logistics, ports, or industrial operations advantageous but not essential
What’s on Offer
- Executive leadership role on a high performing ELT with direct CEO and Board access
- A culture of Whanaungatanga that invests in, celebrates, and harnesses the power of its people working together to drive innovation, deliver growth, achieve operational excellence, and create positive safety outcomes collaboratively
- Lead a mission critical function at NZ’s most strategically important port asset
- Clear mandate to deliver core priorities, then transform, supported by strong organisational alignment and backing
- Purpose driven organisation enabling sustainable trade growth for Auckland and NZ
- Strong enterprise career pathway within a large Council owned organisation
- Opportunity to shape the future of NZ ports operationally, digitally, and culturally
- POAL is a member of the Pride Pledge
Next Steps?
To keep things simple, we ask that all applications are submitted through this advert. We’ll review applications as they come in and be in touch.
For any questions, give Cameron a call on 0220731320 and quote Job ID: 18026 for a confidential chat.
To apply for this vacancy, you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.
At the appropriate stage we will request your references, we ask that you do not include them on your CV when applying.