Chief Executive

Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki drives the economic future of the region. This appointment calls for an accomplished leader with the ambition and track record to secure investment, execute on strategy and open new opportunities for Taranaki.

About Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki

Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki is the regional development agency for Taranaki. Its purpose is to catalyse the region's future prosperity.

Venture Taranaki is a Council Controlled Organisation owned by New Plymouth District Council. Its work spans investment attraction, enterprise support, major regional projects and the visitor economy.

The opportunity

The Board’s strategic direction is clear: to build on Venture Taranaki’s commercial success and grow the region through attracting funding into the Region that enables the execution of strategy to grow Taranaki

The Chief Executive will accelerate that work: attracting new investment into Taranaki, developing new revenue and funding streams, and leading complex, multi-partner projects from concept to delivery.

The work already under way is significant. The Taranaki Alliance brings together the region’s industrial capability to retain its highly skilled manufacturing and engineering workforce while securing large-scale industrial opportunities nationally and internationally. Branching Out is moving new, high-value food and fibre industries from validated trials towards commercial, investable ventures on Taranaki’s land. The Tourism strategy is focussed on developing the Regional Strategy and trade-ready products to grow the Taranaki regional tourism sector, thereby supporting the dispersal of tourism across New Zealand and into Taranaki.

As Chief Executive, you will drive this work forward, leading the organisation and its people to deliver it.

The scope of the role

The Chief Executive reports to the Chair of the Board of Trustees. The key accountabilities are:

• Identify new economic opportunities for Taranaki, build compelling investment cases, and bring together the right partners and capital.
• Strengthen Venture Taranaki’s commercial capability and diversify its funding.
• Lead the organisation through its growth phase, developing the team and capability Venture Taranaki needs to deliver its ambitions.
• Build trusted relationships with councils, Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, central government, industry and business.
• Ensure sound financial management and meet Venture Taranaki’s obligations as a Council Controlled Organisation.

Success in the role will be measured by visible impact in investment, jobs and revenue.

The person we are seeking

The Board is seeking a proven leader who identifies opportunities and turns them into tangible results. You will be able to demonstrate:

• A strong reputation in your field, and a proven history of building meaningful, trusted relationships across business, government and the community.
• Commercial leadership that has grown or scaled a venture, organisation or regional initiative, and attracted the investment and funding behind it.
• Significant outcomes achieved with lean resources, taking initiatives from concept through to delivery.
• Exceptional people leadership, with the emotional intelligence to build a strong team and develop the people you lead.
• The judgement to navigate political change and sustain trust with councils and central government.

Venture Taranaki is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to strengthening its partnership with Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and Māori across the region. The Chief Executive will bring genuine cultural competency, a real commitment to that journey, and the ability to build authentic and enduring relationships.

Experience in local government is not essential. What matters is the ability to understand it quickly and work well within it.

Location

This is a Taranaki-based leadership role, located in Ngāmotu, New Plymouth. The Chief Executive is expected to live in the region.

Confidential enquiries

Trace Consulting is managing this appointment on behalf of Venture Taranaki. Email Tracey Soffe at [email protected] to request a copy of the candidate information pack.

Applications close on Thursday 19 November 2026. Apply by submitting your CV and cover letter via SEEK.