Director - Recruitment

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 13,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes.

We’re working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver ‘Our Business’ and achieve long-term change.

Director – Recruitment

• Based at PNHQ
• Grade 25
•  Police Employee/ Office of Constable
•  Permanent, Full Time
• Nationally Advertised Vacancy
• JR 5325084

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We’re looking for a strategic and visionary leader to head our recruitment function. You’ll lead a large team, drive innovation, and ensure high-quality recruitment decisions across the organisation. Your leadership will be inclusive, resilient, and focused on continuous improvement.

As the Director Recruitment you will lead and manage our recruitment team to deliver high performance. In this demanding role you will need to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and be a champion for change and foster a culture of adaptability. You can expect a strong focus on driving continuous improvement and innovation in recruitment practices which enhance Police’s employment brand and reputation.

Managing a team of 3 direct reports with up to 60 staff indirectly, you will have a proven track record of leadership in recruitment at a senior/executive level in a large and complex organisation.  You will be an exceptional people leader with first class influencing skills. Experience in talent selection and recruitment innovation will be essential in the fast-paced environment and role. You will bring a passion for leading change that makes a difference for your customers and organisation.

Key Accountabilities:

• Change Leadership: Champion a culture that is adaptable, resilient, and open to change. Building the skills and capabilities of Direct reports and beyond to support change initiatives. 
• Strategic Leadership: Provide overall leadership for and ensure the effective performance of the wider recruitment group.
• Lead the team to high levels of performance through development, prioritisation and management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders through meaningful collaboration and advisory.
• Leading and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives by fostering a high trust environment and opportunity.
• Contribute to a positive mind-set and building Police’s employment brand and reputation.

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He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

Being part of the Police whānau is about being our best to ensure our communities are safe and feel safe. Our Core Competencies provide a shared understanding of the behaviours, leadership and technical competence required for success at each level of Police. This foundation, combined with your expertise regarding the specialised/industry specific requirements of the role, will enable you to live our values and have the capability and potential to be a high performer.

We’re looking for someone who demonstrates people leadership and influencing skills with the ability to take initiative to solve problems and make decisions. Someone who is highly experienced in understanding talent selection and being able to provide the organisation with sound advice around recruitment practices but also staying at the forefront of innovation while being able to make recommendations on how to enhance our practices as new tools and methodologies evolve.  

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place a high emphasis on your mindset, your alignment with our values, your ability to work in a high performing team and your leadership.

Please note as part of this recruitment process candidates will be required to undergo personality testing. 

This role is set at Strategic Leader level, this means your key purpose is “to lead the strategy, Our Business, and enable our people to deliver it”.

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/05-2025/director_-_recruitment.pdf

Mo tātou | About us

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas. 

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways. 

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support. 

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made. 

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers

Utu ā-tau | Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $203,400.00 - $210,180.00 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Wednesday 11th June 2025. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates. 

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Recruitment Team Leader Jessica.harris@police.govt.nz