Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city, is having a moment. Years of vision, investment and renewal have created a city with world-class venues, a bustling centre, and surging business confidence. The city’s economic strategy is anchored in high-productivity sectors driving future growth that’s good for business, good for people and good for the planet. Christchurch is the gateway to New Zealand’s stunning South Island. Sitting between the mountains and the sea, Christchurch has nature at its backdoor while residents also enjoy the buzz and nightlife of the city. ChristchurchNZ is seeking a Chief Executive Officer who can lead the city’s next stage of growth alongside its people, partners and businesses. Few leadership roles in New Zealand offer the chance to shape a future economy for a city with momentum.
  
Our Client
ChristchurchNZ is the economic development agency for New Zealand’s second largest city. We bring jobs, people and investment to Christchurch and help grow a stronger economy. On behalf of its shareholder, Christchurch City Council, ChristchurchNZ helps create a more vibrant, wealthier city where there are greater employment, business and lifestyle opportunities. For more information go to http://www.christchurchnz.com
  
The Role
Reporting to the Board, you will lead the organisation entrusted with supporting the economic development of Ōtautahi Christchurch. The growth sectors are accelerating and the momentum is real. Through an integrated programme spanning investment attraction, business growth and workforce development across the city, alongside the business events, major events, tourism and city promotion activity that ensures Ōtautahi Christchurch is a place people want to live, work and invest in. You will do this in a carefully managed funding environment, which requires confident choices about where the organisation concentrates its effort and a compelling case for the value it returns to the city. The external mandate is equally significant as the voice of ChristchurchNZ to investors, central government and media.
  
Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership that inspires, enables and empowers a high performing team
• Realising sustained economic development across the city’s priority growth sectors
• Setting and achieving financial, commercial and organisational objectives, including growth in external revenue
• Building strategic partnerships across your shareholder and the wider Council group, mana whenua, business and tourism leaders, central government and the city’s tertiary institutions

Your Skills and Experience
To succeed in this role, you will bring significant leadership experience, mana and a proven ability to turn investment and commercial opportunity to reality. You will understand private sector dynamics and can see where growth and investment opportunities sit, with the gravitas to influence potential investors and business leaders. An understanding of how an organisation like ChristchurchNZ is funded, governed and the judgement to be accountable to the shareholder and stakeholders will also be critical.
  
You are comfortable leading with confidence where the path is not always mapped, bringing resilience and a strong political radar to a role carried out in public view. As a strategic partnership builder, natural connector and confident communicator, you will easily move across sectors including local or central government while being at ease in a high-profile role, under media scrutiny. You will be a people leader able to cultivate a culture people want to be part of, while being energised by the purpose and mission of promoting and shaping the next exciting chapter of our city.
  
To view the position description: click here
  
To Apply
There are few cities enjoying the success of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s right now. You don’t need to be born and bred here, but you do need a commitment and passion to ensure the city’s success.
  
If you would like to build on this momentum and leave your legacy, we will welcome your application, along with the experience and passion you would bring to it. Please submit your cover letter and CV by clicking on the appropriate ‘Apply’ button. Initial confidential enquiries are welcome by phoning Sally Wynn-Williams on 027 478 5554 or Nick Carter on 027 591 3422.
  
Applications close 5pm 21 September 2026