Chief Information Officer

Published: 11 September 2025

Te whakapakari tahi i tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

We’re looking for a Chief Information Officer (CIO) to lead Hawke’s Bay Regional Councils technology strategy and drive digital transformation. The CIO plays a crucial role in shaping and executing an Information Services (IS) Strategic Plan, ensuring that IT initiatives align with business goals and contribute to the overall success of the organisation. Leading a high-performing team, the CIO will foster a culture of excellence and innovation, ensuring best practices are implemented to optimise technology infrastructure, systems and processes.

If you're passionate about shaping the future through technology, we want to hear from you!

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

You’ll be someone with strategic and technical expertise in designing and developing IT systems and infrastructure, coupled with at least 10 years in relevant experience in a similar role. Your strong communication skills and ability to engage with stakeholders will enable you to navigate complex environments with confidence, while leading with empathy, innovation, and sound judgement. Additionally, you’ll bring extensive experience in optimising technology solutions, prudent budget management and ensuring resilience, continuity and security of technology operations.

You will also have:

• Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary qualification.
• Demonstrated experience in digital transformation and innovation.
• Demonstrated experience in providing trusted advice to leadership teams, alongside leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience navigating complex stakeholder relationships and contract negotiations.
• Resilience, adaptability, and flexibility to keep up with the ever-changing nature of HBRC.
• Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.
• Valid driver’s licence required.

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 5 weeks annual leave after 3 years
• 4% superannuation after 3 years
• Life insurance and income protection
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment.

See a full list of our staff benefits here 

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close Thursday, 25 September 2025, however we will be shortlisting and interviewing appropriate candidates as applications are received. If you are interested in this position, please do not wait to apply as we may close the ad earlier than advertised.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand. The role requires the successful applicant to be based in Hawke’s Bay.

Please apply through Seek. 

To view the full job description please click here. If you would like any further information regarding the role, please email hr@hbrc.govt.nz

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. 

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