Job Description

The Opportunity

• Join us to use your experience to reshape and enhance our HRIS applications, to support self-service and automation, leading the University into a modern environment including the use of AI.
• Bring your experience and expertise a bold new and innovative narrative for our workforce reporting through data and insights.
• Ignite change through leading the integration of our workforce data through our core Oracle Cloud, with our Digital Solutions and Finance colleagues, as we develop a trusted and accurate source of all people information.
• Be part of our new way of working within our Te Pūmanawa Tangata | Human Resource Group, as we develop the use of data and insight to guide and inform strategic initiatives.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is seeking an experienced people applications and data leader who can imagine the future and shape delivery through workable and timely business systems and workflows.

As the Manu Tāiko - Associate Director, HR Applications, Reporting and Insights you will be part of Te Pūmanawa Tangata leadership team working collaboratively to deliver an aspirational programme of change which is focused on operational excellence and service. This is a unique opportunity to shape and strengthen how applications and automation can support great customer outcomes and enhance our employee experience outcomes.

Key responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Integration:
  • Lead the enhancement of the university’s HRIS applications working collaboratively with the Finance and Te Tai Matihiko - Digital Solutions teams.
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture that works with others to ensure data and information from our HRIS and payroll is integrated to provide the best possible information outcomes.
  • Align the team’s work with Te Pūmanawa Tangata Delivery Plan, ensuring impact and outcomes are timely and visible.
  • Strong and effective project/programme management experience, where you have led successful technology changes.
• Data & Reporting:
  • Design and implement a comprehensive HRIS reset then enhancement journey, focusing on modernising workforce information, reporting tools, and portals.
  • Develop business intelligence tools and dashboards (aligned to the University’s architecture) that provide valuable input and insights and support evidence-based decisions.
  • Ensuring the accuracy of workforce data, timeliness of reporting, and ensuring workflows and actions maintain business information accurately and in real time.
  • Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, shifting mindsets toward modern reporting solutions.
• Team Leadership & Management:
  • Work with colleagues to form a dynamic leadership team and deliver as one team through one programme of work.
  • Leading through your team, driving for outcomes that can be celebrated.

Ō pūmanawa - About You

We are looking for a strategic and creative leader with:

• Significant experience in senior HR roles that involved system and reporting implementation. You will have your own success stories and learning to share.
• Proven ability to lead people through change while delivering outcomes.
• Deep expertise in driving culture shifts from manual processes to automation and self-service offerings.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working alongside senior executives and internal customers to understand and deliver great tools that work.
• A passion for education.

Click here to see further information, including salary details.

If this link is not available, click 'apply' to view this on the University careers page.

Close date for vacancy: 9am, 20 July 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Kate Tibbitts, Chief People Officer (022 014 2630, kate.tibbitts@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.

Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise