Manager - Business Partnering in Canterbury

We are seeking an experienced People and Culture leader to join our team in this senior leadership role leading our business partnering and employment relations functions and playing a key part in shaping the experience of our kaimahi across Ara. You’ll bring a strong, future-focused lens to your work, understanding the wider vocational education environment and what it means for our people, our learners and our communities.

Day to day, you’ll partner closely with leaders across Ara, providing trusted advice, leading complex employment relations work and building capability that supports strong, values-led leadership. You’ll also lead and develop a team of Business Partners and Senior Advisors, creating a supportive, high-performing environment where people feel valued and connected to the impact of their work. Alongside this, you’ll contribute to wider People and Culture initiatives that lift our systems, processes and employee experience.

A key part of this role is leading collective engagement and negotiations with unions, building on established relationships in a way that is constructive, transparent and grounded in good faith.

Skills and Experience

We’re looking for someone who brings depth of experience and a genuine passion for people, leadership and positive workplace culture. You’ll bring:

• Relevant qualification at Degree level (Master’s highly regarded/preferred)
• Extensive senior HR or People and Culture leadership experience in a complex environment
• Strong business partnering capability, with the ability to influence, coach and support leaders at all levels
• Deep knowledge of employment relations and New Zealand employment law, including experience managing complex cases and collective processes
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams, with a focus on development, wellbeing and sustainable workloads
• The ability to think strategically while staying close to operational delivery
• A collaborative style, with strong communication skills and sound judgement
• Experience in the tertiary or public sector would be helpful, along with an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to applying this in practice.

About us

Ara Institute of Canterbury is a vibrant and progressive tertiary institute providing world-class, tertiary-level education throughout the Canterbury and Waitaki region. Our talented employees, innovative business collaborators and supportive community partners are passionate about the role they play in our learners' success. Ara is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and delivering services in a manner that responds with excellence to the needs of Māori learners and their whānau, as well as the aspirations of iwi and Māori communities throughout our catchment (including Māori employers). To deliver effectively on this commitment, Ara recognises the need for a culturally competent and confident workforce vertically and horizontally across our organisation.

Apply now

We accept applications via our online application system. For any other queries, please email Recruitment@Ara.ac.nz.

Applications close – 11:55pm, Sunday 17 May 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date.