Manager, Talent and Organisational Development
Type: Permanent
Location: Wellington
Senior leadership role advising on organisational culture and capability, and supporting staff wellbeing during emergency responses.
Ko wai m tou | About us
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealand's distributed emergency management system. NEMA's primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole, across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.
NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives. We support flexible ways of working that bring out the best in you.
We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to M ori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to actively build te Ao M ori perspectives and capability into our day to day work, values and practices.
Mo tenei turanga mahi | About this role
Are you a Talent and Organisational Development leader who loves variety and can navigate both strategic and operational contexts?
As the Manager, Talent and Organisational Development at the National Emergency Management Agency, you will be providing strategic leadership across NEMA on people, culture, leadership and talent strategies one day, and the next, providing hands-on wellbeing support to staff in emergency responses.
This role reports directly to the Deputy Chief Executive, Strategic Enablement and is part of NEMA's Senior Management Team. It leads a team focused on a range of people and culture programmes of work, including recruitment and induction, organisational development, talent management, internal communications, psychosocial risk and leadership. It also plays a significant role in organisational change programmes.
On a normal day, the Manager Talent and OD works across the agency to ensure our culture and capability evolves as NEMA grows and matures as an organisation. The position has oversight of NEMA's training and development funding, ensuring this is used each year to uplift our capability in areas of strategic importance.
In emergency responses, this role leads NEMA's Health and Wellbeing subfunction, ensuring response staff, including those deployed into the regions, are supported and cared for. Consequently, there may be a requirement to respond to emergency activations in the event of a national emergency response. This may include potentially long hours and challenging working conditions. We need someone who can handle this and support our people to thrive.
Ko wai koe | About you
We are looking for a candidate with the following attributes:
- Proven experience advising senior and executive leaders on a range of people and culture matters, particularly organisational development, culture, capability, leadership, wellbeing and change
- Demonstrated experience leading programmes of work in the areas of organisational culture, employee experience, leadership and talent development, and psychosocial risk management.
- An ability to move between strategic and operational leadership. This role requires someone who can move between advising NEMA's executive leadership team and senior management team, and providing on the spot wellbeing support to staff during emergency response and recovery work.
- Resilience, agility and curiosity
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills.
- Excellent people and team leadership skills.
Huanga Whaiaro | Key requirements
- Relevant tertiary qualifications, e.g. Registered Organisational Psychologist.
- Minimum 7-10 years' experience in organisational development or human resources leadership positions.
- Ability to think strategically with strong initiative and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to adapt in quick changing circumstances
- Has high standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability
Ta matou e tuku | What we offer
We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential. We welcome diversity, in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.
NEMA values staff health, safety and wellbeing, and a positive work life balance is encouraged.
The indicative salary range for this role is $173, 338 - $189,277 including Kiwisaver employer contributions.
Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements
Due to the security requirements of this role, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.
Me pehea te tono | How to apply
Please select 'Apply' to download a position description or apply. If you have any questions, contact Kim at NEMATalent@NEMA.govt.nz. We do not accept unsolicited approaches from agencies or 3rd parties.
Applications close 5pm, Sunday 17th August 2025