Title:  Head of Digital Partnering

Head of Digital Partnering

Position Description

• Pivotal role
• Relationship, leadership focus
• Permanent, Auckland based (open to Wellington based for the right candidate)
  

He kōrero mō mātou | 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 whakamārama mo te tūranga 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 include:

• Acting as the primary strategic interface between ICT, the Transformation Office and senior business leaders
• Building strong, trust-based relationships with senior business stakeholders
• Collaboratively identifying and shaping digital initiatives that align with business strategy and deliver measurable outcomes
• Serving as a thought partner
• Partnering with the Architecture team to support and enable the co-creation of digital roadmaps
• Contributing to the creation of business cases, that identify, assess and recommend new technologies and digital solutions
• Facilitating strategic planning sessions and working groups
• Actively managing stakeholder expectations, influencing decision-making and resolving competing priorities
• Supporting change leadership and adoption strategies

Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What (skills) you will bring:

Knowledge and experience

• 8+ years’ experience in IT business partnering, digital transformation or strategic relationship management
• Demonstrated success in partnering with senior business leaders to shape and deliver technology-enabled solutions
• A strategic mindset and can lead the shift towards more strategic technology planning
• Strong understanding of both business operations and digital capabilities, with the ability to connect the two
• Experience 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 plans
• You possess strong business acumen and can translate business needs into technical requirements
• You have excellent leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to motivate stakeholders at all levels of the organisation
• You communicate effectively, articulating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• You have experience in leading organisational change and driving adoption of new technologies and processes
• You demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, developing innovative solutions to complex business challenges
• You have a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with senior executives and key stakeholders
• You are adaptable and can work effectively in a fast-paced environment, adjusting strategies as needed

Other Requirements 

• You are willing to travel domestically in New Zealand

Qualifications

• You have a Bachelor of Information Technology, Business Administration or a related field  

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

• Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver employer contribution
• Extensive support and development
• Access to discounted travel, health insurance and holiday houses across NZ as part of the Staff Welfare Trust 
• A strong Zero Harm policy to keep you safe

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference?

Rā aukati | Applications close: 3 August 2025