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Deputy Chief Executive - Operations and Academic Delivery

Applications close: Tuesday 17th February 2026

Lead the academic delivery, operational performance and learner success functions of Auckland International Campus (AIC), ensuring high‑quality education, strong graduate outcomes and alignment with organisational strategy and values.
Drive innovation, educational excellence and organisational resilience across a complex stakeholder environment, strengthening AIC’s capability, systems and reputation as a premier provider of international vocational and tertiary education.
Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, foster a high‑performing and culturally competent workforce, and ensure sustainable management of resources, quality standards and campus operations in a dynamic, fast‑changing sector.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a rare and influential executive leadership opportunity to shape the operational excellence and academic delivery of Auckland International Campus (AIC), a high-profile international education partnership between Future Skills and Otago Polytechnic.

Reporting to the Chief Executive – International Division, the Deputy Chief Executive (DCE) Operations and Academic Delivery will play a pivotal role in ensuring AIC is recognised as a provider of high-quality, innovative and employment-focused tertiary education for international learners.

This role is suited to a senior leader who brings a can-do, hands-on leadership style. Someone willing to roll up their sleeves, work through complexity and engage directly with people, data and delivery, rather than lead solely through delegation. It is a role that balances strategic intent with operational depth, requiring both big-picture thinking and the ability to work confidently through detail.

THE ROLE

The DCE Operations and Academic Delivery holds end-to-end accountability for academic delivery, educational quality, learner success, support services and campus operations at Auckland International Campus.

Working closely with the CEO, Board and executive colleagues across AIC, Otago Polytechnic and Future Skills, the role translates strategy into execution, leading a portfolio of strategically aligned projects while ensuring day-to-day operations remain strong, responsive and learner-centred.

Key elements of the role include:

Providing educational leadership that champions innovation, quality teaching and strong graduate employability outcomes within an international education context.
Leading strategic and operational planning, with the ability to move seamlessly between high-level priorities and practical implementation.
Driving learner success and educational performance, using data and insight to monitor engagement, retention and completions, and acting quickly where intervention is required.
Leading a diverse, engaged and high-performing team, fostering accountability, collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence.
Exercising strong commercial and financial acumen, including effective budget management, resource allocation and delivery against business plan targets.
Influencing across complex stakeholder environments, including regulators, government agencies, partners and industry, to support AIC’s reputation, growth and sustainability.
Upholding and embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, ensuring cultural competence and improved outcomes for Māori learners.

The role has a broad leadership remit, overseeing senior academic, student success, quality, finance and operational functions, and plays a key role in ensuring AIC remains agile and resilient in a dynamic international education market.

THE CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will be a credible and respected leader within international and tertiary education, with the gravitas to operate at executive and Board level and the practical mindset to engage deeply with operations.

They will be known for being both strategic and operational, able to quickly grasp complex environments, interpret data, connect the dots and move decisively from insight to action. This is a role for a leader who enjoys being close to the work, understands how organisations function at a practical level, and leads through influence rather than instruction.

The ideal candidate will:

Lead change with confidence, pragmatism and optimism, maintaining momentum while bringing people with them.
Bring deep experience and credibility in international education, with a strong understanding of regulatory, quality and learner experience requirements.
Be data-savvy and commercially astute, able to interpret information quickly, manage budgets effectively and make sound, timely decisions.
Be a quick learner, comfortable navigating complexity and leading multiple projects aligned to strategic priorities.
Demonstrate a collaborative, grounded leadership style that resonates with a diverse and engaged team.

For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:

David Price
National Manager, New Zealand
M. +64 (0)21 0239 2211 | E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com

Book a 15 minute consultation