General Manager – Investment Management

Tēnei tūranga – About the role

Position purpose General Manager – Investment Management is a senior leadership and management position in the Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. The role is responsible for the overall management of the investment management processes and its personnel.

This will include:

• Originating, progressing and overseeing investment opportunities for Kānoa-Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Kānoa-RDU).
• Working with the Crown Regional Holding Limited Board and Ministers to ensure the various funds are allocated so Kānoa-RDU delivers on fund objectives.
• Management of the overall portfolio with particular focus on strategic funding, operational, counter-party risks.
• Development and provision of advice on funding instruments (including grants, debt and equity).
• Ensuring applications for funding to the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF) are assessed against the criteria under which the RSPF was established.
• Ensuring that Kānoa-RDU is not competing with or “crowding out” the commercial or private sector investment market.
• Implementing robust assessment processes and undertaking appropriate fiscal analysis.
• Ensuring that reporting to Ministers and Directors is to the appropriate standard and delivery timeframes are met.
• Developing major sector or infrastructure projects with private sector co-investors.
• Making sure Kānoa-RDU is not seen or portrayed as “a lender of last resort”.
• Representing Kānoa-RDU  and  RSPF at meetings, decision making forums and external engagements.
• Accountability for ensuring the Investment Pipeline is up to date, accurate and fit-for-purpose.

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• Strong commercial acumen, with demonstrated understanding of the business and investment environment in New Zealand.
• Strategic nous, with particular expertise in the identification of investment opportunities, business case development and assessment of business capability.
• Financial, analytical and investment experience, with an in-depth knowledge of New Zealand’s sectors and corporate finance.
• Senior leadership experience within a complex large business or public sector organisation and wide ranging knowledge of investment, risk and assurance that is applied in the public sector context.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of the assessment and evaluation of major projects, management of the investment and negotiation and agreement of the investment.
• Proven track record of leading a strategic function at a senior management level in a public sector or business organisation, connected and contributing to the wider organisation and ensuring the “one organisation” approach.
• Demonstrates deep understanding of the principles and conventions of government and the constitutional, legal and whole-of-government basis on which the New Zealand State Service operates.
• Experience in contributing to the development and implementation of organisational operating models.
• Proven experience in leading and developing a high performing team of investment professionals.
• Political nous and a proven track record of building and maintaining the trust and confidence of Ministers and senior officials.
• Makes quality decisions by using analytically sound, well-rounded, informed and inclusive approaches.
• Takes a broad perspective and considers the implications of situations in terms of wider context beyond organisational boundaries.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining an environment focused on continuous improvement to enhance organisational performance.
• Demonstrated ability in making complex business decisions that maintain momentum on strategic goals.
• The ability to lead across groups and influence decision makers where there is no direct reporting relationship.

Proven success in a senior management position including:

• Working collaboratively as a member of a leadership team with a shared organisational vision and goals o Strategic leadership and management.
• People leadership and management.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Key Deliverables

• Align and integrate with relevant partner agencies to achieve Kānoa-RDU outcomes.
• Drive integrated stakeholder engagement and workflows.
• Lead/develop major sector or infrastructure projects with private sector coinvestors. In conjunction with private sector organisations and supported by the CRHL Board, drive Kānoa-RDU’s exploration of appropriate transactions in this area.
• Build robust reporting systems that measure the outcomes of Kānoa-RDU investments.
• Support the Head of Kānoa-RDU to build and develop a high performing leadership team that sets an excellent culture and drives high performance.
• Represent Kānoa-RDU and RSPF at various local, regional and national forums or symposia to publicise and explain the role and function of Kānoa-RDU and the RSPF.
• Work together with Kānoa-RDU Regions and Sectors team on the type and level of information required for the submission of proposals process.
• Attend and provide advice at Select Committee hearings.
• Attend various meetings to represent Kānoa-RDU and present the business case and recommendations for applications to the RSPF.

Meetings will include those with:

• Senior Regional Government Officials.
• The Minister for Economic and Regions Development.
• Crown Regional Holdings Limited Board.
• RED Ministers or Cabinet.

Provide intellectual and strategic leadership to manage the pipeline of potential projects and applications for funding against the criteria of the RSPF. This includes:

• Developing robust due diligence processes that provide surety and successful outcomes of Kānoa-RDUs strategic objectives.
• Establishing systems and processes to manage the pipeline of proposals, including robust assessment of applications against the criteria of the fund.
• Establishing systems and processes to manage the approvals process that realises commercial opportunities.
• Identifying and managing risks related to each proposal.
• Establishing robust and fit-for-purpose conflict and risk management frameworks.
• Preparing advice for decision-makers.
• Establishing processes to ensure timeframes for decisions and reporting are consistently monitored and met.

General management

• Develop strategies, work programmes and performance targets for the Investment Management Branch with supporting measurement, monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
• Align Investment Management’s work programme with Kānoa-RDU’s strategic direction and other Branch’s work programmes.
• Monitor and adjust work programmes through the agreed processes to enable Investment Management to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Regularly monitors and reports on progress towards achievement of plans and strategies.
• Manages expenditure and resources in line with approved guidelines, budget, deadlines and reporting requirements, with a focus on driving cost effectiveness in the Ministry.
• Builds continuous review and improvement throughout all elements of Investment Management operations.
• Establishes and develops a clear team operating model.

People Leadership

• Leads the team and understands and utilises the capability of the broader team members to deliver high quality project outputs.
• Provides a sense of vision and leadership that engages and motivates others to participate and make things happen.
• Establishes clear accountabilities, expectations and performance standards with direct reports and ensures regular performance management and development occurs.
• Monitors individual and team performance to ensure that performance targets are met (including pro-actively identifying and addressing any issues in a timely manner).
• Coaches, mentors and develops staff to meet the needs of Kānoa-RDU now and in the future.
• Models exemplary management and leadership behaviours, and State Sector ethics and MBIE values.
• Fosters an open, collaborative environment that encourages quality, innovation, on-going learning and knowledge sharing.

Capability development

• Take responsibility for own professional development of core, transferable skills and seek opportunities to learn.
• Act as a direct support to the Head of Kānoa-RDU to ensure momentum of key projects.

Relationship Management

• Effectively influence, and contribute to an authorising environment, through building and maintaining enduring relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Represent whole-of- Kānoa-RDU views and protect its reputation in external interactions.
• Build strategic alliances with key government and non-government representatives to ensure Kānoa-RDUsviews 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 Kānoa-RDU its products and services.
• Test the effectiveness of stakeholder relationships using a range of appropriate measures and processes (including stakeholder feedback).

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 Head of Investment Management position reports into the Deputy Secretary, Head of Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit

More information about MBIE's structure

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 Aotearoa New Zealand for All.

To Grow Aotearoa 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