Chief Technology Officer

Tēnei tūranga – About the role

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is a senior leadership role within MBIE, responsible for providing end-to-end leadership and accountability for the Ministry's technology ecosystem. The CTO leads the development and execution of MBIE's technology strategy and roadmap, ensuring technology investments, services and capabilities are aligned with organisational priorities and support the delivery of MBIE's strategic objectives. The role brings together technology strategy, architecture, cyber security, delivery, infrastructure and operations under a cohesive leadership model that enables secure, resilient and high-performing technology services.

The CTO oversees MBIE's technology lifecycle from strategy and design through to delivery, operation and continuous improvement. The role is accountable for ensuring the reliability, security, performance and availability of the Ministry's digital platforms, applications, infrastructure and end-user technology services across both cloud and on-premise environments. Through strong enterprise technology governance and stewardship, the CTO ensures technology services remain sustainable, fit-for-purpose and responsive to current and future business needs.

A key focus of the role is driving alignment between technology planning, architecture, delivery and operational service management, creating a seamless and integrated approach to technology outcomes. The CTO leads the modernisation of MBIE's technology landscape, including legacy system transformation, cloud adoption, cyber resilience, digital service improvement and optimisation of technology investments. By establishing clear accountability across the technology portfolio, the role strengthens organisational capability, improves service performance and enables innovation at scale.

As a senior technology leader within both MBIE and the wider public sector, the CTO builds strong partnerships across government, industry and technology communities to leverage shared capabilities, influence strategic direction and contribute to system-wide improvement. The role provides thought leadership on emerging technologies, technology risks and future opportunities, ensuring MBIE is well positioned to deliver trusted, secure and customer-focused digital services that support better outcomes for New Zealanders.

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• Proven experience leading large, complex technology functions within a sizeable organisation, providing strategic leadership across technology, digital services, organisational change, operational management and enterprise transformation.
• Demonstrated success as a member of an executive or senior leadership team contributing to organisational strategy, performance and outcomes.
• Exceptional people leadership capability, with a proven track record of setting clear direction, establishing accountability, developing high-performing teams and fostering a positive, collaborative, customer-focused and inclusive culture.
• Deep expertise in technology strategy, digital delivery, enterprise architecture, cyber security, technology governance and service management, supported by a strong understanding of industry best practice and contemporary operating models.
• Extensive experience leading large-scale technology, digital and business transformation initiatives, including technology modernisation, systems implementation, service improvement, organisational change and the delivery of complex transformation programmes within multidisciplinary environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading and governing enterprise technology operations, including incident and problem management, production environment performance, operational readiness, service continuity and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to establish and embed effective operational frameworks, standards and practices that improve system stability, service reliability, operational resilience, business continuity and risk management across critical technology environments.
• Experience establishing and leading centres of practice and operational disciplines that promote consistency, capability development, innovation and best practice across digital and technology services.
• Advanced strategic and analytical thinking skills, with demonstrated experience leading across multiple delivery disciplines, including technical projects, software and systems implementation, technology upgrades, digital programmes and organisational change initiatives.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to build credibility, provide constructive challenge and work effectively with executives, customers, partners, vendors and external stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
• Demonstrated understanding of New Zealand Government security requirements, including the Protective Security Requirements (PSR) and New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM), together with extensive knowledge of current and emerging technologies, including AI and cyber security trends. Ability to evaluate opportunities and translate these into practical strategies that enhance organisational performance, security and customer experience.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification or extensive and comparable relevant experience at a senior management level in the public and private sector.

Pre-requisites for the position

• Ability to obtain / maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
• Must consent to and satisfactorily complete a credit check as the position holds financial delegations.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Critical areas of success

• Provide strategic technology leadership and advice to the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and Deputy Chief Executive, enabling MBIE to maximise the value of its technology, digital, cyber security and AI investments.
• Develop and implement an enterprise technology strategy and roadmap that aligns with MBIE's strategic priorities, government direction and future business needs.
• Maintain an enterprise-wide view of MBIE's technology environment, balancing strategic opportunities, operational requirements and technology risks to support informed decision-making.
• Ensure end-to-end integration and alignment across technology strategy, architecture, cyber security, delivery, infrastructure and operations to deliver cohesive and effective technology outcomes.
• Lead the modernisation of MBIE's technology landscape through investment planning, cloud transformation, platform renewal, AI enablement and legacy system replacement.
• Ensure the reliability, security, resilience and performance of MBIE's technology services, applications, platforms and infrastructure through effective operational governance and stewardship.
• Strengthen MBIE's cyber security capability and risk posture through proactive governance, monitoring, threat management, incident response and continuous improvement, ensuring compliance with relevant government requirements and standards.
• Establish and maintain effective technology governance, architecture, policies, standards and frameworks that support consistency, risk management and delivery excellence across MBIE.
• Lead the successful delivery of technology programmes and initiatives, ensuring technology investments achieve intended outcomes, benefits and value for money.
• Develop and oversee multi-year technology investment strategies, including technology lifecycle management, asset replacement, investment prioritisation and optimisation of technology expenditure.
• Ensure robust operational readiness, business continuity, service continuity and disaster recovery capabilities that minimise operational risk and support organisational resilience.
• Foster a customer-centric and service-focused culture that delivers responsive, high-quality technology services and continuously improves customer and user experience.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships across government, industry and key stakeholders to leverage shared capabilities, influence technology direction and strengthen system-wide outcomes.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, inclusive technology workforce, fostering professional excellence, innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.
• Represent the views and aspirations of MBIE in national forums.
• Foster a customer-focused culture across the Branch.

Strategic Leadership and Direction - Applies sound strategic management practices

• Contribute to the leadership of the Corporate and Digital Shared Services (CDSS) group as a member of the CDSS leadership team and the wider MBIE extended leadership team.
• Provide organisational leadership and stewardship through participation in CDSS strategic development and Governance processes.
• Lead the strategic development of CDSS work programme to align with and support the MBIE’s strategic direction and adopt a business-like and customer centric culture.
• Set the strategic purpose for MBIE and establish and socialise the purpose and character with staff, and set expectations for MBIE to ensure it meets its objectives.
• Guide, challenge and consult the organisation towards both economic decision making, value generation, a common understanding of business opportunities and their consequences.
• Work collaboratively with other Tier 3 Managers across the MBIE and CDSS to drive coherent system wide outcomes.

Collective Leadership - Work collaboratively with other members of the Corporate and Digital Shared Services Leadership Team to support achievement of MBIE outcomes

• Participate collaboratively as a member of the CDSS Leadership Team to ensure the development of sustainable organisational capability and achieve expected efficiency benefits and ongoing improvements in cost effectiveness.
• Take collective responsibility for the cohesion and performance of MBIE as a whole and provides peer support to other senior managers, managers, stakeholders and practitioners.
• Work collaboratively with the CDSS Leadership Team to define the outcomes and outputs expected to deliver on MBIE’s strategic direction.
• Contribute beyond the core functional area to enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of the CDSS Group.
• Ensure consistency and alignment between different teams in MBIE and promote solution seeking where there are legitimate differences.
• Represents Senior Leadership Team views to staff.

People Leadership - Provide leadership that engages and motivates others to succeed and develop

• Create a sense of vision, engages and motivates people to participate and make things happen.
• Establish clear accountabilities, expectations and performance standards with direct reports and ensure regular performance and development conversations occur.
• Anticipate future capability needs across the team, identify gaps in capability and address these through targeted recruitment, development or other actions. Identify and actively develop talent for key roles.
• Foster an open, collaborative environment that encourages quality, innovation, ongoing learning and knowledge sharing.
• Support all organisational development activities, modelling expected behaviours to managers and staff to create healthy workplace culture and engaged workforce.

General Management - Apply sound management practices

• Develop and implement strategies, work programmes and performance targets for Technology, IT, Strategy, Architecture, Security and Delivery and with supporting measurement, monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
• Aligns Technology and Security work programmes with MBIE’s strategic direction and other groups’ work programmes.
• Monitor and adjust work programmes through the agreed processes to enable Technology, IT, Strategy, Architecture, Security and Delivery to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Regularly monitor and report on progress towards achievement of plans and strategies.
• Manage expenditure and resources in line with approved guidelines, budget, deadlines and reporting requirements, with a focus on driving cost effectiveness for MBIE.
• Effectively and proactively identify and manage risks; build continuous review and improvement throughout all elements of Technology, IT, Strategy, Architecture, Security and Delivery operations.

Relationship Management – Working collaboratively with others to support the achievement of MBIE outcomes

• Build strategic alliances with key government and non-government representatives to ensure MBIE’s views are influential in their decision-making.
• Build and maintain effective relationships and partnerships with national and international organisations to identify and share best practice information and to promote the Ministry, its products and services.
• Lead any engagement programme(s) with identified influencers and key stakeholders.
• Actively look for opportunities and synergies with internal and external stakeholders that focus on and meet customer needs.
• Use a one organisation perspective when contributing to internal forums and governance bodies.
• Represent whole-of-Ministry views and protect its reputation in external interactions.

Wellbeing, health & safety

• Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensures own and others safety at all times.
• Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
• Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
• Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.

Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry

The Chief Technology Officer position reports into the Deputy Secretary Corporate and Digital Shared Services within the Digital Strategy and Delivery branch. The branch sits within the Corporate and Digital Shared Services group.

More information about MBIE's structure

Ngā Kawenga Ārahitanga – Leadership Expectations

At MBIE our leadership expectations provide consistent language for how we expect our leaders to lead at MBIE. They are supported by our values, and the Public Sector leadership capabilities as described in the Leadership Success Profile (LSP).

Leadership Expectations - Ngā Kawenga Ārahitanga (MBIE)

Lead by example - Whakatinana hei tauira
Enable our people - Whakaāhei ō tātou tangata
Deliver what matters - Whakatutuki ngā manako

Matatautanga – Competencies (Leadership Success Profile)

The Leadership Success Profile (LSP) is a leadership capability framework, developed by the New Zealand public sector for the New Zealand public sector. It creates a common language for leadership and establishes what great leadership looks like. You can look at the twelve underpinning capabilities and four leadership characters here: Leadership Success Profile | Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission(external link)

To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand

Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow New Zealand for All.

To Grow New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.

As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.

Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service

Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.

In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.

What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission