Hobson Leavy are delighted to partner with Federated Farmers of New Zealand, seeking their new Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through its next phase of growth and change.
Federated Farmers is New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisations, representing ~13,000 farmers. Its members span across the primary sectors of meat, wool, arable and dairy – the third largest contributing industry to NZ’s GDP. Federated Farmers comprises of 24 provinces and associated branches to provide a unified voice for members, at both a provincial and national level. Membership is voluntary. The organisation employs 60 people and is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand.
Federated Farmers provides a range of services including advocacy, policy development, on-farm expertise and insights, and support services – including legal advice, contract development and farm employment tools. Federated Farmers is governed by a National Council which has overarching responsibility for the organisation.
The CEO is accountable for the organisation’s day-to-day operational performance, while providing rigorous financial stewardship. They will partner closely with the National Council, and provide visionary leadership to inspire a high-performing and collegial team. They will be responsible for leading and embedding a future-focused, commercially viable strategy; bringing together a multifaceted service offering, with a focus on sustainable membership growth and farmer advocacy.
The role requires a seasoned people leader with a depth of experience operating and engaging at a senior executive level. They will have a track record of cultivating high-performing and engaged teams, with experience collaborating at Board level.
The CEO will have a deep empathy for New Zealand farmers – demonstrating a genuine commitment to advancing the agricultural sector in New Zealand. They will champion the industry through building relationships and influencing credibly with external partners – including with media, government departments, farmers, agricultural partners, and community groups.
The CEO will be a rounded business leader with a strong commercial bent. They will have experience operating in a similar multifaceted organisation; able to identify, embed and execute upon strategic priorities that deliver robust and sustainable commercial outcomes. Experience diversifying revenues in a services’ environment will be crucial, as Federated Farmers seeks to reshape an impactful and engaging proposition – for both existing and future members.
The role is to be based at Federated Farmers’ national head office in Wellington.
Apply via Seek or for further information, please contact Grace Barclay at Hobson Leavy executive search.
E: grace@hobsonleavy.com
