10th November, 2026
People Business Partner - Fixed term - asap to 30 June 2027
Wellington CBD | National public sector organisation
Niche Recruitment is partnering with a national public sector organisation to appoint a People Business Partner on a fixed term basis to 30 June 2027.
Based in Wellington, this is a senior, influential role where you'll advise senior leaders and help the organisation deliver its strategy through its people.
About the role | Mō te tūranga
You'll help align People strategy with business priorities, working with managers across the organisation to put strategic processes in place and bring transformational change to life.
Working alongside the wider People branch, you'll give managers advice and solutions that are practical and consistent with the People strategy. You'll help them plan for the people implications of their decisions, and encourage a culture of accountability, trust and self-sufficiency.
In this role you'll:
- Partner with Tier 2 and 3 leaders, contributing to senior discussions on strategy and direction and helping to remove roadblocks to delivery
- Assist managers to design and implement workforce plans covering capacity, capability, culture and change management
- Lead a team, delegating work to Senior Advisors and Advisors and monitoring delivery, while building the leadership capability of managers
- Manage complex employment relations matters, with escalation to the specialist ER team as needed, and play a key role in maintaining productive union relationships
- Contribute to and implement relevant parts of the industrial relations strategy, including interpreting individual and collective employment agreement provisions
- Identify people-related and reputational risks early and act to minimise their impact
- Lead improvements to People practices and support the delivery of key People projects
About you | Mōu
You're an experienced People professional, ideally from a senior HR Business Partner or similar strategic advisory role. You balance strategic thinking with practical judgement, moving comfortably from advising a senior leader on future workforce needs to working through a complex people issue. You're resilient, and comfortable working under tight timeframes and managing competing priorities.
You'll also bring:
- Proven strategic business partnering, turning organisational priorities into practical workforce, capability, culture or change plans
- Credibility with senior leaders, with the ability to influence, challenge constructively and give pragmatic advice
- Strong knowledge of current New Zealand employment law, and the confidence to apply it to complex, sensitive matters
- Experience managing complex employment relations matters and working constructively with unions
- Experience coaching managers and leading or delegating work across a team
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to explain complex issues clearly to different audiences
- An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it applies in the public sector
- A relevant tertiary qualification and/or a sound knowledge of current HR good practice
Why this role? | He aha tēnei tūranga?
This is a senior role with a clear public purpose and a real chance to make a difference. You'll help shape how People strategy supports a complex national organisation, with a competitive salary and flexible working on offer.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tono Applications close Friday, 20 November 2026. We'll be reviewing CVs as they're received, so we encourage you to apply early. We're looking for someone who can start as soon as possible.
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter via SEEK.
For a confidential kōrero, or a copy of the position description, please contact Maria Lyons at Niche Recruitment on 021 403 855 or maria.lyons@nicherecruitment.co.nz.
Please note, only candidates who are currently based in New Zealand and have the legal right to work here are eligible to apply.
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