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 offers an opportunity to shape Oranga Tamariki’s future and strengthen performance and impact.
The Role
Reporting to the Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive, Tamariki and Whānau Services leads the organisation’s largest operational group, delivering services through a nationally distributed frontline network. You will provide leadership across a complex service environment, ensuring frontline teams are supported by strong systems, clear accountability, effective operating disciplines and a culture focused on delivering high-quality outcomes.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead Oranga Tamariki’s largest service delivery function across Aotearoa
- Strengthen organisational performance, accountability and operational effectiveness
- Enhance service design, governance frameworks and delivery capability to lift practice quality and improve outcomes
- Use insights and evidence to inform decision-making and continuous improvement
- Build trusted relationships across government, iwi, communities and sector partners
Background, Skills & Experience:
The incoming DCE will be an accomplished, values-led executive with a strong track record leading large, nationally distributed service delivery functions in complex public sector environments. You will bring the credibility, judgement and resilience needed to lead through complexity, stabilise delivery, strengthen operational discipline and lift practice quality. This role requires a leader who can balance strategic system leadership with visible operational accountability, build confidence across frontline teams and partners, and create alignment around a shared commitment to improving outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.
You will bring:
- Extensive experience leading large, geographically dispersed frontline service operations, ideally in statutory, social sector or other high-risk service environments
- Demonstrated success lifting organisational performance, strengthening practice quality and improving service outcomes through disciplined implementation
- Strong understanding of public sector systems, machinery of government, ministerial accountability and working effectively within a Crown agency context
- Proven ability to build trusted, enduring relationships with Māori, iwi, hapū, communities, providers and sector partners
- Outstanding communication, engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to bring people with you through change and maintain confidence in challenging environments
- A values-based leadership approach and genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, inclusion and the wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau
For more information, please contact Rosa Findlay at Hobson Leavy Executive Search: rosa.findlay@hobsonleavy.com.
Applications close at 5pm on 6 September 2026.
