Chief Information Officer - Ref:517

About Kāpiti Coast District Council

Kāpiti Coast District Council look after one of the fastest growing districts in Aotearoa New Zealand, providing a wide range of services to support the current and future needs of a diverse population from all walks of life.

With a vision of a Kāpiti with a thriving environment, vibrant economy, and strong communities, they take their role seriously and are genuinely passionate about the wellbeing of their District.

About the Chief Information Officer

As a key pillar of the leadership team reporting into the Group Manager Corporate Services, The Chief Information Officer will take ownership of the Council’s Digital Strategy, ensuring that they are best positioned to continue to deliver to the needs of the community at present as well as enhancing capability in anticipation of future needs.

Leading teams across Information Technology, Information Management, Business Solutions and Geospatial Intelligence, the Chief Information Officer will maintain a focus on broader outcomes while still being able to roll their sleeves up to support their team with delivery. Also notably, The Chief Information Officer will oversee and lead the design, development and integration of a new EDRMS solution. Being delivered in partnership with a reputable IT solutions provider, the Chief Information Officer will continue to develop and build a strong partnership with the provider.

The ideal candidate for this position will bring demonstrable experience leading teams across the IT and Digital space, and will be comfortable engaging with key stakeholders both internally and externally. This engagement notably encompasses the Executive Leadership Team, bridging the gap between the overall strategic goals of the Council and technical teams and confidently distilling technical information into plain language easily understood at governance level. They will be approachable to their team, and able to confidently handle pressure while enabling their team to do the same.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Digital Solutions leader to see the genuine difference their work makes within the Kāpiti community.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the Digital Solutions team (4 direct, up to 30 indirect reports) to deliver effective digital, technology, and information management services.
  • Provide strategic leadership across digital strategy, innovation, and risk management to support Council-wide goals.
  • Oversee development, implementation, and governance of digital initiatives, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and architecture.
  • Champion continuous improvement, customer-centric service, and integration of digital capabilities across the Council and region.
  • Manage budgets and resources to optimise performance, resilience, and future-readiness of systems and services.
  • Ensure robust information security, compliance, and risk mitigation practices across digital infrastructure and operations.
  • Foster a high-performing team culture through coaching, performance management, and ongoing staff development.
  • Act as Executive Sponsor for information and records management, ensuring legislative compliance and effective digital asset oversight.

 Skills and experience required

  • Proven leadership experience with a track record of managing teams and delivering complex digital services.
  • Strong strategic thinking and demonstrated success in developing and implementing digital or information strategies.
  • Proven ability to engage with stakeholders both internally and externally with varying levels of technical understanding.
  • Broad expertise in IT infrastructure, applications, security, and digital service delivery.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong commitment to customer service.
  • Resilient under pressure, with the ability to manage shifting priorities and deadlines effectively.
  • Experience working in the public sector, ideally within local government.
  • Sound understanding of digital trends, emerging technologies, and sector-specific challenges in the public sector.

How to apply

Please apply via Absolute IT here.  For further information, please contact Scott Ford at [email protected]

Reference number: 142895.

Please note, we can only consider applicants that are legally entitled to work in New Zealand at the time of application.

Remuneration


The salary range for this position is $147,000 to $199,000, with a midpoint of $ 173,000. Starting remuneration will depend on the skills and experience of the successful applicant.