About Oranga Tamariki
Oranga Tamariki works to ensure tamariki in Aotearoa are supported to flourish within loving whānau and communities. Guided by the belief that every child can thrive when surrounded by the right people and a safe, nurturing environment, more than 4,500 kaimahi work across the country to improve outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role is central to how Oranga Tamariki sets direction, makes choices, measures progress and focuses effort where it will make the greatest difference. It is a critical system coherence role, helping bring clarity, evidence and discipline to a complex operating environment.
The Role
Reporting to the Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive, Strategy, Policy and Insights leads approximately 390 kaimahi across strategy, policy, policy, insights, performance, planning, investment and legal advice. The role provides the strategic centre of gravity for Oranga Tamariki, ensuring decisions are anchored in evidence, aligned to priorities, and translated into practical action across the organisation.
This is a role for an executive who can work across the full system: setting direction, shaping policy positions, using insight to surface what is working, and strengthening the way performance is understood and improved. The DCE will help Oranga Tamariki move from activity to impact, supporting clearer choices about where to focus, what to invest in, and how to demonstrate progress for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
Key responsibilities:
- Shape organisational strategy, policy settings, priorities and investment choices
- Lead high-quality policy advice on complex issues across the children’s system
- Use data, evidence and insights to identify what is working, where risks are emerging and where change is needed
- Strengthening planning, performance measurement, accountability and organisational coherence
- Build trusted relationships across government, iwi, communities and sector partners
Background, Skills & Experience:
The incoming DCE will be an accomplished executive with extensive experience leading strategy, policy and performance in complex public sector environments. You will bring the judgement and influence to work at pace across government, translate complexity into clear direction, and connect evidence, investment and delivery in a way that strengthens organisational impact.
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading large, complex policy and strategy functions
- Deep understanding of public sector systems and machinery of government
- Proven ability to turn data, evidence and insights into strategy, policy, investment and performance improvement
- Success leading organisational change in complex environments
- Outstanding stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills
- A values-based approach and genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles
For more information, please contact Alex Nevil at Hobson Leavy Executive Search: nevil@hobsonleavy.com.
Applications close at 5pm on 6 September 2026.
