People & Culture Operations Manager in Christchurch

About the opportunity

At Holmes Solutions, we work on seriously cool projects - from revamping construction methods to designing thrill rides. We are always finding new ways to do things. Right now, we are at a rare and exciting moment: hitting "reset" and "accelerate" at the same time. We are separating from our parent group to establish ourselves as a standalone global business - building a new identity, fresh brand, and bold strategy from the ground up. In the last year we have grown to a 100-person company with presence in New Zealand and the USA, and customers around the world.

We are looking for a People & Culture Operations Manager to partner with our Chief People Officer and build a cohesive P&C system to match our ambitions. This is a unique opportunity to do things right from the start. If you are a systems thinker who thrives in a "build" environment and wants to leave your mark on a P&C framework - this kind of opportunity doesn’t come around often. This is a full-time role based in Christchurch, with flexible working options. If you are keen to be part of the action, please read on!

Key duties & responsibilities:

• Working in close partnership with the CPO, you will own the functional architecture and operational excellence of the P&C team:
• Co-design the foundational frameworks—including job architecture, remuneration model, and future performance systems—ensuring they are interconnected, fair, and scalable.
• Over time, increasingly own the "run" of the P&C function. Manage the annual P&C cycles, ensuring the seamless execution of salary reviews, talent planning, workforce planning, culture initiatives, etc.
• Act as the primary project lead for our transition from Group to standalone, managing the due diligence, HR data migration, and the "stand up" of our independent P&C infrastructure.
• Partner with team to update, develop, and maintain the policies, practice notes, and legal frameworks required in line with our people-centered intent.
• Partner with IT, engineering, and business support teams to architect a cohesive digital ecosystem that moves us beyond spreadsheets to automated, scalable workflows. You will lead the identification of requirements and partner on vendor sourcing for tools. By deeply understanding our business goals, you will ensure our P&C needs are embedded into the wider technology roadmap, providing the business with real-time, actionable insights.
• Build the reporting tools and dashboards that move us from "feeling" to "knowing," while serving as the custodian for data integrity and privacy across our global footprint.
• Support and partner with team to manage our ecosystem of partners, from US PEO and immigration specialists to EAP & NZ benefit providers.

About You:

You see HR as more than a function - you understand how leadership, structure, and process come together to shape a great employee experience. You have likely worked in a scaling business before and know how to thrive in the "build" phase. Experience in engineering or tech is a bonus, but what matters most is your curiosity, your ability to learn our world, and the P&C expertise you will bring to it.

You will also bring:

• Strategic P&C Experience: You bring a solid background in P&C operations or senior business partnering, ideally within a scaling or project-based environment. You have a "build" mindset and genuinely enjoy the challenge of creating frameworks, policies, and blueprints from a blank page.
• Systems Thinking & Design: You have a natural flair for job architecture, remuneration frameworks, and human-centred design. You understand how leadership, structure, and process work together to create an exceptional employee experience.
• Digital Curiosity & Rigour: You are a tech-savvy professional who looks for ways to use technology and AI to automate manual tasks and drive data-based decisions. You have the project management discipline to manage complex timelines and digital transitions across multiple countries.
• A Consultative Partnership: You enjoy working closely with a CPO to translate high-level strategy into operational reality. You understand the value of feedback loops and are committed to testing your designs with leaders and teams to ensure they are practical and "fit for purpose."
• Trust & Legislative Confidence: You have a strong grasp of NZ employment law and the interpersonal skills to build genuine relationships across all levels of a technical and engineering environment.

About Holmes Solutions:

We work with international clients in many industries including adventure recreation, construction, and roadside hardware. We cover everything from ideation and R&D, to testing, compliance and accreditation. It’s fair to say there’s never a dull moment in our design hub!

Why Join Holmes Solutions?

We are a close-knit team that champions innovation, knowledge-sharing, and work-life balance. We celebrate diversity, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds because we believe in the power of varied perspectives to drive innovation.

Take Your Next Step With Us:

If this opportunity excites you and you feel you can add value to us, please apply today or contact our People & Culture team for more information.