Head of Digital Platforms & Service Management

A new era in vocational education is taking shape in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The unification of Unitec and Manukau Institute of Technology - two respected institutions with over 50 years of service will transform Auckland’s public vocational education landscape. This is a bold step toward a more equitable, responsive system grounded in partnership, purpose, and place, reflecting the aspirations of our diverse communities, industries, and Māori across the region.

Shape the platforms and experiences behind one of New Zealand’s most significant digital transformations.

This is a rare opportunity to lead how enterprise and academic platforms are designed, delivered and continuously improved across a newly integrated organisation.

This is about owning the full lifecycle ensuring platforms deliver reliable, scalable, and user-focused outcomes.

Why this role

This isn’t about managing systems - it’s about leading how platforms are owned, evolved and experienced end-to-end.

• Lead platforms and service management through a large-scale organisational integration
• Own and shape the enterprise platform and product strategy
• Influence at executive level on service performance and user experience
• Drive a product and lifecycle mindset across platforms and services
• Enable consistent, high-quality experiences that support teaching, learning and operations

For the full position description see below.

What you’ll do

• Define and lead the digital platforms and service management strategy
• Act as product owner for core enterprise and academic platforms
• Oversee the full lifecycle from design and delivery through to support and optimisation
• Embed best-practice service management (incident, problem, change, service levels)
• Lead and grow a high-performing platforms and service capability

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience leading large-scale organisational mergers and digital integration programmes, including consolidation of platforms, teams, and operating models to deliver a unified enterprise
• Senior leadership experience across enterprise platforms, products and service environments
• Strength in service management frameworks (e.g. ITIL) and platform operations
• Experience driving product thinking and lifecycle management at scale
• Strong commercial and vendor management capability
• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver through change and transformation

Why join us

There’s real work to be done here and real opportunity to shape how digital platforms are experienced across the organisation.

• Shape platforms and services during a full organisational reset
• High visibility and influence at senior leadership level
• Opportunity to evolve platform maturity, performance and user experience
• 3 - 4 days per week on campus, with some flexibility
• Purpose-led impact supporting learners, whānau and communities

This is a role defined by its scope, influence and long-term impact - offering a level of ownership and visibility that stands out in the market.

Submit your CV and a short cover letter outlining what excites you about this opportunity.

Applications close Friday 17 July at 3.00pm, however we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable candidates ahead of this date.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Alison Redfern- Daly, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, at ***email_hidden*** Please note this email address is for queries only and should not be used to submit applications.

Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity and are committed to building a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

Disclaimer: This position has been identified as a potential redeployment for kaimahi who have had their position impacted through change. Therefore, in assessing applications, affected kaimahi will be given preference and priority.