Head of Digital Partnering

Pivotal roleRelationship, leadership focusPermanent, Auckland based (open to Wellington based for the right candidate) He k?rero m? m?tou | About us: At KiwiRail, we connect New Zealanders sustainably, powering economic growth and ensuring vital freight and passenger services run smoothly. Our mission, "Stronger Connections, Better New Zealand," highlights our dedication to sustainability and community well-being. Our people make KiwiRail exceptional. By fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace, we empower everyone to contribute their best. If you’re passionate about innovation and safety, we’d love to welcome you aboard.

He whakam?rama mo te t?ranga mahi | About the role: KiwiRail is in a phase of significant transformation to modernise and grow our rail and Interislander ferry services in Aotearoa. The Head of Digital Partnering plays a pivotal role in building trusted, long-term partnerships between ICT, the Transformation Office and senior business leaders. You will be responsible for ensuring business needs are deeply understood and translated into digital strategies and solutions that drive sustainable value. The role requires strong relationship management, strategic alignment, and the ability to co-create digital initiatives in close collaboration with business leaders.

As Head of Digital Partnering ICT, you'll guide KiwiRail's strategic approach to both products and capabilities. You'll ensure our core systems evolve effectively while building the broader capabilities our business needs. Working closely with both ICT and business teams, you'll help create a clear, achievable path to our digital future. This role is responsible for identifying opportunities to leverage digital technologies, driving innovation, and ensuring that digital transformation efforts deliver tangible business value.

Key Areas Of Responsibility IncludeActing as the primary strategic interface between ICT, the Transformation Office and senior business leadersBuilding strong, trust-based relationships with senior business stakeholdersCollaboratively identifying and shaping digital initiatives that align with business strategy and deliver measurable outcomesServing as a thought partnerPartnering with the Architecture team to support and enable the co-creation of digital roadmapsContributing to the creation of business cases, that identify, assess and recommend new technologies and digital solutionsFacilitating strategic planning sessions and working groupsActively managing stakeholder expectations, influencing decision-making and resolving competing prioritiesSupporting change leadership and adoption strategies Ng? pukenga e rapu nei m?tou | What (skills) you will bring:

Knowledge And Experience8+ years’ experience in IT business partnering, digital transformation or strategic relationship managementDemonstrated success in partnering with senior business leaders to shape and deliver technology-enabled solutionsA strategic mindset and can lead the shift towards more strategic technology planningStrong understanding of both business operations and digital capabilities, with the ability to connect the twoExperience working in complex, cross-functional environments and navigating competing priorities Ways of working / Work-related qualities You demonstrate strategic thinking and planning abilities, developing long-term visions and translating them into actionable plansYou possess strong business acumen and can translate business needs into technical requirementsYou have excellent leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to motivate stakeholders at all levels of the organisationYou communicate effectively, articulating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiencesYou have experience in leading organisational change and driving adoption of new technologies and processesYou demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, developing innovative solutions to complex business challengesYou have a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with senior executives and key stakeholdersYou are adaptable and can work effectively in a fast-paced environment, adjusting strategies as needed Other RequirementsYou are willing to travel domestically in New Zealand Qualifications You have a Bachelor of Information Technology, Business Administration or a related field N?u te rourou | What's in it for you:

Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver employer contributionExtensive support and developmentAccess to discounted travel, health insurance and holiday houses across NZ as part of the Staff Welfare TrustA strong Zero Harm policy to keep you safe Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference? R? aukati | Applications close: 3 August 2025