Chief Operating Officer

About the role

Invest New Zealand is seeking a senior leader to join its Executive Leadership Team as Chief Operating Officer. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the COO will provide enterprise‑wide leadership across the organisation’s operational platform, ensuring the systems, disciplines and governance needed to operate as a trusted public entity.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Operations team and the Growth Category of the Active Investor Plus programme.
• Drive operational excellence and organisational performance with a focus on seamless delivery for investors and stakeholders.
• Partner with the Executive Leadership Team to achieve strategic and investment objectives.
• Oversee governance, financial stewardship and risk management across the organisation.
• Maintain legal, regulatory and programme integrity while fostering a high‑performing culture.

Required profile

• Strategic, commercially‑minded executive with a track record of building organisations.
• Senior leadership experience responsible for operations, governance, compliance or organisational performance.
• Experience working with boards, ministers or senior executive stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships across government, regulators and the private sector.
• Collaborative leadership style that develops and empowers teams.

Required skills