General Manager, Methods and Data Science

At Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa, data is one of New Zealand's most valuable strategic assets. The insights we provide help government, businesses, communities and New Zealanders make informed decisions that shape the future of Aotearoa.

We're seeking an exceptional leader to join our senior leadership team as General Manager, Methods & Data Science.

This is a significant and newly established organisational leadership role, responsible for leading the people, priorities and delivery of our Methods & Data Science branch. You'll lead teams whose expertise underpins the quality, integrity and innovation of New Zealand's official statistics and wider data system, ensuring Stats NZ remains trusted, relevant and future-focused.

Reporting to the Deputy Government Statistician, Data Assets & Stewardship, you'll be part of Stats NZ's third-tier leadership group and play a critical role in shaping how we use data, methods and emerging technologies to deliver value for New Zealanders.

Success in this role requires more than technical expertise. We're looking for a leader who can bring clarity to complexity, make sound decisions in competing and often ambiguous environments, and deliver outcomes through empowered leaders and teams. Someone who understands that great leadership is about creating direction, building capability and ensuring people are focused on what matters most.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As a fundamental accountability of your role, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership across a broad portfolio spanning statistical methods, research, survey and administrative data design, census methodology, strategic response and data science capability.

You'll translate organisational strategy into clear priorities, align resources to areas of greatest value, manage risk effectively and ensure delivery achieves sustainable outcomes. By effectively working through the leaders reporting to you, you'll balance competing demands while maintaining a relentless focus on quality, impact and customer value.

As a member of the Stats NZ senior leadership team, you'll contribute beyond your own portfolio. You'll build strong partnerships across Stats NZ, influence organisational priorities and help drive joined-up decision-making and delivery across the organisation. You'll take an organisation-first approach, considering the broader implications of decisions and the value they create for Stats NZ as a whole.

You'll also create the conditions for high performance. This means developing leadership capability, fostering accountability, championing continuous improvement and building an inclusive culture where people feel empowered to contribute, innovate and succeed.

The role also carries an important stewardship responsibility. You'll help shape the future of New Zealand's data system, strengthen partnerships across government and support Stats NZ's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and delivering long-term public value.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

We're looking for an experienced senior leader with a proven track record of leading complex organisational priorities and delivering results through others.

You’ll bring:

• A track record of leading complex technical, professional or specialist functions, creating the conditions for expert teams to deliver high-quality advice, services and outcomes in complex and evolving environments.
• The ability to balance long-term capability building with organisational delivery, ensuring people, expertise, systems and resources are positioned to meet both current priorities and future needs.
• The credibility to lead through expertise and influence, working effectively with senior leaders, technical specialists and stakeholders to translate complex issues into practical decisions and organisational action.
• A values-based leadership approach, demonstrated through sound judgement, intellectual curiosity, integrity and courage, with a commitment to developing people, strengthening organisational capability and creating lasting public value

Experience in official statistics, data science, statistical methodology or data stewardship would be highly valued. However, we're equally interested in leaders who can demonstrate exceptional organisational leadership, strategic thinking and a strong track record of leading highly specialised teams to deliver impact.

Mō mātou | About us

Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa sits at the centre of New Zealand's data and statistics system. We play a critical role in ensuring decision-makers, communities and organisations have access to trusted information that helps them understand the issues that matter and make informed choices about the future.

Methods & Data Science is central to that mission. The expertise within this branch helps shape how we design, produce and continuously improve official statistics, while supporting innovation, data stewardship and the responsible use of emerging analytical approaches across the organisation.

Joining Stats NZ means contributing to work that has lasting impact, leading talented specialists, and helping shape the future of data and statistics in Aotearoa New Zealand.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

This is an opportunity to lead one of Stats NZ's most influential specialist functions and help shape the capability that supports New Zealand's official statistics and wider data system.

If you're motivated by the challenge of leading highly skilled teams, influencing organisational direction and ensuring New Zealand continues to have trusted, high-quality statistics and data, we'd love to hear from you.

We review applications as they're received and may begin engaging with suitable candidates before the closing date.

We're committed to providing an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience. If there are adjustments we can make to support your participation in the process, please let us know. For any questions about this role, please email Amba Ashley-Mantle [email protected]

Applications close midnight Thursday 29th October, 2026.

Reference #

20570

Posted on

15 Oct 2026

Closes on

29 Oct 2026 23:55

Location(s)

Wellington

Expertise

Data Insights, Analysis and Customer Reporting, Data Standards and Statistical Design, General Mgmt/Executive

Job level(s)

Management

Work type(s)

Permanent full-time