General Manager Sustainability

About Spark New Zealand

Spark New Zealand stands as the nation's leading telecommunications and digital services provider, dedicated to helping all New Zealanders thrive in a digital era. With millions of mobile and broadband users alongside thousands of business customers, Spark integrates sustainability deeply into its core business operations, emphasizing environmental protection, social equity, trust-building, and leveraging digital technology benefits.

Role Overview

Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer, this senior leadership position steers Spark's comprehensive sustainability agenda, encompassing climate initiatives, human rights, digital inclusion, social impact, and Māori strategic priorities. The role commands significant visibility within the company’s leadership and board.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and execute Spark's sustainability strategy, transforming ambitions into tangible outcomes across the enterprise.
• Oversee climate-related disclosures ensuring compliance with regulations and robust public transparency.
• Manage human rights and modern slavery reporting collaboratively with procurement, legal, risk management, and HR teams.
• Lead the digital equity division, including the Spark Foundation, and support the advancement of Māori strategy in partnership with relevant leadership.
• Drive sustainability influence across functions via steering groups, cross-department collaborations, and governance structures without direct ownership of all delivery aspects.
• Provide comprehensive, decision-ready sustainability reports to senior leadership and the board.
• Act as Spark's external ambassador for sustainability, promoting its role in an equitable low-carbon future for New Zealand.
• Lead and develop a diverse multi-disciplinary team focused on sustainability, digital equity, and Māori initiatives.

Experience and Skills Required

• Over 10 years of relevant experience in sustainability, ESG, climate policy, human rights, public affairs, or corporate governance, preferably in public companies or complex organizations.
• Strong expertise in ESG governance frameworks, climate reporting standards, modern slavery compliance, and supply chain risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex reporting and assurance processes and influence senior stakeholders effectively.
• Proven leadership capabilities with experience developing and managing teams.
• Excellent written communication skills suited to Board-level documents and public disclosures.
• Commercially pragmatic approach balancing ambition with credibility, risk management, and practical delivery.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Benefits

Spark fosters an inclusive culture where diversity is intrinsic to daily operations, welcoming all individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity, orientation, age, or ability. The company emphasizes sustainability as a pillar for national recovery and economic transformation, advocating equity and partnership in advancing digital inclusion.

• Comprehensive wellbeing offerings including medical insurance, life and income protection, wellbeing coaching, employee assistance programs, and clinical support.
• Hybrid work model primarily consisting of four office days per week with one flexible day.
• Generous leave policies including four weeks of annual leave, purchased leave options, enhanced parental leave benefits, and study leave.
• Monthly Spark product credit of NZD 150 for permanent employees.
• Participation opportunities in periodic share purchase schemes.
• Access to internal career development resources connecting employees with experiential learning across Spark.

Additional Information

Applicants must be based in New Zealand with permanent residency, citizenship, or a valid work visa with a minimum of 18 months remaining, reflecting the urgency and importance of this role.