Unit Manager - Kaiwhakahaere Wāhanga

Fixed term/ Secondment opportunity till 30 June 2028

Are you looking for an opportunity to lead a high-performing team, charged with delivering a nationally significant and impactful programme of work?

Reporting to the General Manager, the Unit Manager - Data Product Development will form an integral part of the Stats NZ Data Operations and Infrastructure leadership team. Playing a pivotal role in developing our work strategy and aligning our people to our work programmes your key focus areas will be delivering to ISDS, Census and Modernising the IDI projects.

The IDI world-leading in the integration of datasets to link information from key Government agencies, surveys and NGO’s, to translate into better social outcomes for all New Zealanders. More information on the programme of work can be found in the link below.

Integrated Data Infrastructure | Stats NZ

We are looking for someone who can lift our strategic capability and work collaboratively to deliver solutions on how high‑value statistical products and data services are delivered, how teams perform, and how customers and stakeholders experience our work. This will directly impact Stat’s NZ’s future operating model to ensure we are we are fit for the future.

Day-to-day, you’ll use your proven leadership experience to lead, coach and support a capable, technically skilled team of Analysts to deliver operational excellence—balancing pace with quality, customer needs with financial discipline, and prioritising the delivery of high-quality work, to our deadlines.

As part of the leadership team, you will be responsible for leading the effective collaboration to engage and uplift performance to deliver across our key projects.

This role is ideal for an experienced people and operations leader who is looking to further enhance their skills, delivering work that has tangible impact on the lives of everyday New Zealanders.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will actively contribute to the Senior Leadership Cohort across both Data Operations & Infrastructure (DO&I) and Insights & Statistics (I&S). You’ll have responsibility for the day‑to‑day operational management of your unit, including delivering a workforce strategy. You’ll lead operational planning, manage budgets and financial delegations, and ensure risks are mitigated so delivery remains on track.

With your superior relationship skills, you’ll collaborate across the group, and wider project teams to deliver shared outcomes. You will be continually improving our offerings, helping us challenge the status quo and optimise our resources.

As a conceptual thinker you will produce clear and transparent roadmaps that help maintain high standards for accuracy, documentation, and metadata. This will build awareness of analytical solutions and best practices directly impacting the future direction of Census and IDI.

Customer focus sits at the heart of the role. Your team will understand who they are delivering for, why it matters and will be proactive to respond to technical needs that align outputs with broader group products and services.

As a people leader, you’ll create a team culture grounded in trust, clarity, and accountability. You’ll coach and support your team to build capability, set meaningful stretch objectives, and encourage continuous learning. Working alongside technical leaders, you’ll support robust decision-making, clear audit trails, and strong independence principles—while continuing to reflect on and strengthen your own leadership practice.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

You will be a forward-looking leader who can think big and broad and who will thrive in a fast paced and dynamic environment. You're committed to building a culture of high performance and the team will appreciate your inclusive, supportive and collaborative leadership style.

You’ll thrive at Stats NZ if you bring:

• Demonstrated skill in building and leading a delivery focused, cohesive and high-performing admin data team's is desirable.

• Navigating competing priorities with sound judgement within a complex and fast-moving environment.

• A successful track record of identifying, developing and growing the workforce capability required for the future.

• High attention to detail and outstanding writing skills, you’ll have a natural ability to quickly present information in a concise, accurate and easy to understand form.

• confidence to apply your skills and knowledge across a breadth of disciplines to solve problems, deliver on deadlines, manage budgets and drive results.

• Previous experience working with technical specialists and collaborating with them across organisational boundaries.

• A high degree of resilience coupled with a proactive and pragmatic approach.

Mō mātou | About us

Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa is home to more than 1,300 people across the motu, united by a shared purpose: delivering trusted data and insights that help Aotearoa make better decisions. Our work supports Government, Māori and Iwi partners, businesses, communities, NGOs, and all New Zealanders — improving lives today and for generations to come.

We encourage you to go to our careers site to learn more about the Way We Work at Stats NZ and also check out our benefits. We want working for us… to work for you!!

We’re a values led organisation that celebrates diversity in all its forms. We’re committed to creating a workplace where people feel supported, connected, and able to bring their whole selves to work.

As a Unit Manager, you’ll play a vital role in turning our purpose into action — leading people, strengthening delivery, and helping ensure our data continues to be trusted and used to shape better outcomes.

Salary range: $133,435 - $180,529 + kiwisaver

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

If you’re ready to lead with confidence, care, and impact, we’d love to hear from you. Click Apply now to be redirected to our careers site, where you can submit your application. The position description is available on the right‑hand side of the page.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and we may move quickly to interviews. You may be asked to complete a brief pre‑interview screen via phone or video. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know in your application — we’re committed to making the process accessible for everyone.

Please reach out to [email protected]  if you have any questions.

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background and various pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.