HOBSON LEAVY is pleased to be partnering with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand to find their new Chief Digital Officer.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s civil aviation safety and security regulator.
Our vision is for a safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe and feel safe when they fly.
We facilitate, influence and enable safety and security for the public and the people who work in it. This is critical to maintain NZ’s international connections and reputation for travel and trade and to support positive economic and social outcomes.
Our role includes regulating and working with the aviation sector through policy and rule setting, education and engagement, certification and licensing, monitoring and investigation and security delivery.
Dedicated to evolving as a modern, intelligence-led regulator, we’re going through a period focused on transforming, simplifying and standardising our key processes and functions and enablers. This includes a focus on strengthening collaboration internally, and with industry.
About the role
Reporting to the Director of Civil Aviation (Chief Executive), the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) will be responsible for system leadership of CAA’s Digital Transformation and Technology Group. The role is accountable for shaping and delivering CAA’s digital strategy, embedding digital as a core strategic enabler, and uplifting organisational digital capability. The CDO will provide advice and insights to the Executive Leadership Team and Board, ensuring digital and data capabilities are aligned with strategic priorities, strengthening governance and decision-making, and accelerating transformation across the organisation.
The CDO will oversee and have responsibility for CAA’s digital strategy, technology solutions and platforms, information and records management, project and portfolio management, cybersecurity, and digital transformation delivery. As CISO, the role also sets the strategic direction for information security.
The incoming CDO will bring a depth of digital leadership experience together with excellent relationship skills, having partnered with a wide range of senior stakeholders across government, industry and regulatory bodies. Their demonstrable experience leading large-scale digital and business transformation in similarly complex environments, with measurable improvements in efficiency, organisational agility and customer experience, is essential. The successful candidate will be an exceptional people leader – capable of inspiring high performance and building trusting relationships at all levels. Strategic, nimble and collaborative, the CDO will partner effectively across the business to drive positive and impactful organisational outcomes.
Apply via Seek or for more information, please contact Alex Nevil at: nevil@hobsonleavy.com.
Applications close at 5pm on the 23rd January, 2026.
