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We are seeking an exceptional Head of People to provide strategic and operational leadership across the full employee lifecycle, helping to build a high-performing, engaged and future-ready workforce.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior people and culture leader to influence organisational strategy, partner with executive leaders, and shape a workplace culture where people thrive and meaningful work flourishes.

About the Role
PHF Science is a talented community of experts who are passionate about science that makes a difference. Delivering excellent science means ensuring we continue to build strong workforce and environment where our people can thrive and do their best work.

Our Head of People is pivotal to this success. Reporting to the General Manager People and Culture, you will lead a team of seven and will be a key member of the People and Culture Leadership Team, leading workforce strategy and ensuring PHF Science has the capability, leadership and organisational culture that enables our significant contribution for New Zealand.

You will:

• Provide strategic advice to the Executive Leadership Team and senior leaders on all people matters
• Lead workforce planning, organisational design, succession planning, talent management, and capability development initiatives
• Drive employee engagement, wellbeing, performance, and culture initiatives across the organisation
• Lead employment relations strategy, including union engagement and collective bargaining processes
• Oversee remuneration and reward frameworks and ensure data-driven decision-making through people analytics
• Champion continuous improvement of HR systems, processes, and employee experience, including leveraging AI and digital solutions
• Lead and develop a high-performing People team while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

About You
You are an astute and influential senior HR leader with commercial acumen and the ability to balance strategic thinking with practical execution.
  
To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• 10+ years HR experience at a management/leadership level, ideally in a similar science or strongly technically focused organisation
• Deep expertise across workforce strategy, organisational development, talent management, employee engagement, leadership coaching and people analytics  
• Employment relations experience, including working with unions, collective bargaining, policy development and complex employee matters
• Experience partnering with executive teams and influencing senior stakeholders
• A track record of leading through change and driving organisational performance improvements
• Experience leveraging technology, systems and AI to improve people processes and employee experience.

About PHF Science
Established in 2025, formerly ESR (Environmental Science and Research Institute), PHF Science – or the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science – is part of New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system, and is dedicated to the health, wellbeing and safety of our communities. Specialising in public health and forensic sciences, we monitor disease, help ensure safe food and water, reduce harm from drugs, support the justice system and more. Our science powers innovations and solutions to help New Zealand prosper and grow. 

With four locations across Aotearoa New Zealand in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington (Kenepuru and Wallaceville), we use world-leading science to monitor disease, test food and products, safeguard our water and support the justice sector. By joining forces with experts and iwi, we tackle critical issues to ensure a better Aotearoa New Zealand for all. 

Why Join PHF Science?
At PHF Science, the work you do contributes directly to the wellbeing, safety, and prosperity of New Zealand communities. You’ll join a values-driven organisation committed to excellence, integrity, innovation, and collaboration.

Our values guide everything we do:

• Mahi Tahi – Great people working together as one team.
• Mahi Rangatira – Standing out through excellence and expertise.
• Mahi Pono – Upholding integrity and independence.
• Mahi Auaha – Embracing innovation and fresh thinking.

If you’re a strategic people leader looking for an opportunity to shape organisational capability and culture within a purpose-driven national organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply
To apply for this position please visit www.h2r.co.nz and refer to reference number 1247113. For further information please contact Nikki Grebby on 04 4999 471 or Katerina Makarios on 0274987154, or email us at nikki.grebby@h2r.co.nz or Katerina.makarios@h2r.co.nz. You must be eligible to work in New Zealand to be considered for this opportunity. All applications will be acknowledged by email. Applications close 6pm, Thursday 24 September.