Hobson Leavy are delighted to partner with Playcentre Aotearoa on the appointment of their next Chief Executive Officer.
Playcentre Aotearoa is a nationwide charitable trust offering a distinctive, parent-led approach to early childhood education (ECE) that also functions as a whānau-focused community hub. With over 400 Centres across the country and circa 14,500 tamariki supported in 2024, Playcentre is deeply rooted in community, connection, and whānau development.
At its heart is a vision of te whānau tupu ngātahi – families growing together. Playcentre empowers parents and caregivers to learn alongside their children supported by three pillars: Relationships, Learning, and Support. It provides bicultural, play-based learning centred on Te Whāriki and honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi, championing Māori language, culture, and identity.
Playcentre is seeking a new Chief Executive (CE) to lead the organisation into its next chapter. Following a successful transition to a national entity in 2019 and the development of a strong 2030 Strategy, the CE will lead the delivery of this vision, enabling quality, culturally grounded education and whānau services across Aotearoa.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CE will be an experienced executive leader with strategic acumen and people leadership skills, ideally with experience in education, community, not-for-profit, or the social services sectors. They will be confident leading diverse teams through change and growth in a complex, values driven environment based on a whānau led culture.
The CE will build strategic partnerships, strengthen connections with existing partners, while developing new funding relationships across the public and private sectors. Building enduring, mana-enhancing relationships with iwi will also be critical to expanding Playcentre’s services and further supporting whānau Māori.
Commercially savvy, the ideal candidate will understand how to strengthen funding pipelines and develop a sustainable, impactful organisation. Importantly, the successful candidate will demonstrate a genuine commitment to kaupapa Māori and honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. They will bring integrity, empathy, and the ability to build trusting relationships.
Proficiency in te reo Māori is highly desirable. The role is required to be in Playcentre Aotearoa’s National Office in Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington several days per week.
For more information or to apply, please contact Anastasia Gyson, at Hobson Leavy Executive
