General Manager | Talent, Capability & Culture
Environment Canterbury
Date: 1 day ago
City: Christchurch, Canterbury
Contract type: Full time
Job Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Job Category: HR & Recruitment
As a regional council, we’re responsible for managing natural resources like air, water, and land across the Waitaha Canterbury region. We work in genuine partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment for current and future generations.
Our region is changing, and so are we. Whether it’s environmental shifts, regulatory reforms, or the evolving needs of our people and communities, we’re committed to adapting and responding with integrity, collaboration, and purpose.
Our Mahi (work) Centres On Delivering Three Core Services
We’re looking for a strategic and people-focused leader to join our team as General Manager – Talent, Capability & Culture.
This newly established role is part of a refreshed People, Safety and Wellbeing structure that reflects our commitment to doing things better—for our kaimahi, our organisation, and the communities we serve. It’s a key role leading the design and delivery of organisation-wide people strategies that attract, develop, and retain great talent, while strengthening a culture where people feel safe, valued and able to thrive.
Reporting to our CPO, you’ll lead a capable team responsible for talent acquisition, learning and leadership development, organisational culture, and equity, diversity and inclusion. Cultural competence will be central to this mahi—both in what you lead and in how you lead. You’ll help embed inclusive practices, a strong organisational culture, and ensure our people strategies reflect our values, honour our Treaty partnership, and deliver long-term value to our communities.
This is a rare opportunity to influence system-level change in a purpose-driven organisation. You’ll be joining a collaborative, values-led team that’s passionate about building a better future for Waitaha—together.
Mōu │ About You
You’re an experienced senior people leader with a strong foundation in organisational development, talent and capability strategy. You bring clarity and care to complex problems—and you thrive on turning ideas into action. You understand how to build positive, inclusive culture at scale and know how to bring people with you on the journey.
You’re deeply committed to exceptional leadership and cultural competence—both your own, and that of the organisation. You have the humility to keep learning, and the courage to lead change that supports a stronger, more inclusive future.
Mātau Ā-Wheako │ Experience
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally bring:
Our Mahi Is Grounded In Our Organisational Values
Ko Ētahi Atu Kōrero │ Additional Information
For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Roz Grant on 027 301 4802.
Applications close Sunday, 20 July. We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in and may progress to interviews before the closing date.
Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required where relevant to the role.
We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't quite meet every qualification, we still encourage you to apply.
Job Description
General Manager – Talent, Capability & Culture
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Job Category: HR & Recruitment
- Lead transformational mahi that builds belonging, growth and performance
- Pivotal Leadership role
- Join a high-trust, values-led organisation committed to doing things better
As a regional council, we’re responsible for managing natural resources like air, water, and land across the Waitaha Canterbury region. We work in genuine partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment for current and future generations.
Our region is changing, and so are we. Whether it’s environmental shifts, regulatory reforms, or the evolving needs of our people and communities, we’re committed to adapting and responding with integrity, collaboration, and purpose.
Our Mahi (work) Centres On Delivering Three Core Services
- Environmental Regulation and Protection
- Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
- Public Transport
We’re looking for a strategic and people-focused leader to join our team as General Manager – Talent, Capability & Culture.
This newly established role is part of a refreshed People, Safety and Wellbeing structure that reflects our commitment to doing things better—for our kaimahi, our organisation, and the communities we serve. It’s a key role leading the design and delivery of organisation-wide people strategies that attract, develop, and retain great talent, while strengthening a culture where people feel safe, valued and able to thrive.
Reporting to our CPO, you’ll lead a capable team responsible for talent acquisition, learning and leadership development, organisational culture, and equity, diversity and inclusion. Cultural competence will be central to this mahi—both in what you lead and in how you lead. You’ll help embed inclusive practices, a strong organisational culture, and ensure our people strategies reflect our values, honour our Treaty partnership, and deliver long-term value to our communities.
This is a rare opportunity to influence system-level change in a purpose-driven organisation. You’ll be joining a collaborative, values-led team that’s passionate about building a better future for Waitaha—together.
Mōu │ About You
You’re an experienced senior people leader with a strong foundation in organisational development, talent and capability strategy. You bring clarity and care to complex problems—and you thrive on turning ideas into action. You understand how to build positive, inclusive culture at scale and know how to bring people with you on the journey.
You’re deeply committed to exceptional leadership and cultural competence—both your own, and that of the organisation. You have the humility to keep learning, and the courage to lead change that supports a stronger, more inclusive future.
Mātau Ā-Wheako │ Experience
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally bring:
- Extensive senior experience in human resources, organisational development, or people leadership within complex environments
- Proven ability to design and implement talent acquisition capability, leadership and culture strategies with measurable impact
- A track record of shaping and embedding inclusive, high-performing workplace cultures
- Deep understanding of cultural competence, equity and inclusion in organisational settings
- Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and demonstrated experience in partnering with Māori or growing cultural capability at scale
- Strategic and commercial thinking, with the ability to influence across a broad stakeholder landscape
- Experience working with or within the public sector is an advantage
Our Mahi Is Grounded In Our Organisational Values
- Kaitiakitanga (Stewardship)
- Pononga (Integrity)
- Manaakitanga (People First)
- Whanaungatanga (Collaboration)
- Māiatanga (Can Do)
Ko Ētahi Atu Kōrero │ Additional Information
For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Roz Grant on 027 301 4802.
Applications close Sunday, 20 July. We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in and may progress to interviews before the closing date.
Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required where relevant to the role.
We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't quite meet every qualification, we still encourage you to apply.
Job Description
General Manager – Talent, Capability & Culture
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