Overview
Chief Operating Officer Jobs in Auckland Central, Auckland, New Zealand at Invest New Zealand
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Company: Invest New Zealand
Location: Auckland Central, Auckland, New Zealand
Help shape New Zealand’s economic future
Invest New Zealand has been established to increase international investment into New Zealand and support long-term economic prosperity. Working across government, industry and global investor networks, we are focused on attracting high-value investment that lifts productivity and creates lasting value for New Zealand.
As a newly established Autonomous Crown Entity, we are building a high-performing organisation with a culture grounded in accountability, collaboration and impact. We are now looking for an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team and help shape the next stage of Invest New Zealand’s growth.
There is an option for this role to be based in either Wellington or Auckland.
About the role
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Chief Operating Officer will provide enterprise-wide leadership across Invest New Zealand’s operational platform. The role will ensure the organisation has the systems, disciplines and governance needed to operate as a trusted public entity and deliver measurable outcomes.
Leading our operations and the implementation of the Growth Category of the Active Investor Plus programme, you will help build a world-class investment promotion agency that combines operational discipline with an outstanding investor experience.
Working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and key government stakeholders, you will help ensure Invest New Zealand remains a trusted public entity delivering measurable economic outcomes for New Zealand.
Success in this role will come from bringing together two critical teams, Operations and Active Investor Plus, and creating an environment where people work collectively to deliver our mandate. You will build shared accountability, lift operational standards and maintain a strong focus on investor outcomes.
What you'll be doing
You will lead an operationally strong team across the full remit of operations, including:
- Driving operational excellence and organisational performance, with a focus on seamless delivery for investors and stakeholders.
- Partnering with the Executive Leadership Team to deliver Invest New Zealand’s strategic and investment objectives.
- Leading governance, financial stewardship and risk management across the organisation.
- Maintaining strong legal, regulatory and programme integrity while supporting a high-performing culture.
About you
You will be a strategic, commercially minded executive who enjoys building organisations and enabling others to succeed. You will bring credibility, sound judgement and the confidence to operate across public and private sector environments.
You'll likely have:
- Senior leadership experience with responsibility for operations, governance, compliance or organisational performance.
- Experience working with Boards, Ministers or senior executive stakeholders.
- The ability to build trusted relationships across government, regulators and the private sector.
- A collaborative leadership style that develops people and creates high-performing teams.
- Sound commercial acumen and an understanding of investment, finance or capital markets.
- Knowledge of governance, risk management and regulatory environments.
- Strong financial stewardship and accountability experience.
- Ideally, a legal qualification and the ability to travel between Auckland and Wellington when required.
Most importantly, you will be motivated by purpose and excited by the opportunity to help build an organisation that contributes directly to New Zealand’s economic success.
Why join us?
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing Crown Entity at a formative stage and play a key role in how New Zealand attracts and enables international investment.
You will work alongside talented colleagues, engage with senior leaders across government and business, and help create lasting economic impact for New Zealand.
Apply Now
Applications close on Sunday 2 August, but we encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this opportunity. Send your application including CV and outline of your interest in this role to [email protected]
Position: Full-time, permanent
Applications close: 24 July 2026
