Lead - People and Data Analytics

Role overview

This is a newly established leadership role where you will guide a small team of Senior Data Analysts and act as the organisation’s go-to specialist for people analytics and workforce intelligence. The position focuses on moving the function beyond standard reporting into forward-looking, insight-driven workforce planning that supports stronger organisational performance.

You will lead advanced people analytics, workforce reporting, and strategic workforce planning in a complex, changing environment. The role is highly influential and involves shaping leadership decisions through practical insights, external comparisons, and analysis that helps the business make better workforce choices.

What you will do

You will own the direction of the workforce analytics function, partnering with Finance, senior leaders, technology teams, and data specialists to make sure workforce decisions are proactive, evidence-based, and aligned with performance goals.

Key priorities include defining the workforce analytics roadmap, improving data quality standards, and supporting the creation of consistent workforce data definitions and governance practices. You will also help shape reporting and analytics requirements for new system implementations so business needs are translated into timely and usable insights for senior leaders.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coach a small team of Senior Data Analysts.
• Act as the subject matter expert for people data, analytics, and workforce intelligence.
• Develop advanced insights that go beyond routine reporting.
• Use external benchmarks and comparative data to strengthen workforce analysis.
• Influence decisions at senior and executive levels.
• Build and grow capability in workforce planning, forecasting, and scenario modelling.
• Partner closely with Finance, technology teams, and data teams.
• Set the workforce analytics roadmap and help establish data quality, definitions, and governance standards.
• Define reporting and analytics requirements for new system rollouts.
• Help the team shift from reporting-only work to storytelling, insight, and influence.
• Connect workforce findings to cost, capacity, and organisational performance outcomes.

What you will bring

You should have a strong track record in leading effective reporting functions and turning data into meaningful action. Comfort working in complexity, ambiguity, and evolving systems is important, along with the ability to build capability and deliver results in a changing environment.

The ideal candidate will have experience developing high-performing analytical or performance reporting teams, using insights to influence senior stakeholders, and working across business functions to improve decision-making.

Additional requirements and notes

• Experience leading, coaching, and developing analysts or reporting specialists.
• Proven ability to deliver insightful analysis that is more advanced than standard reporting.
• Capability to influence senior and executive stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to workforce planning or strategic analytics, including forecasting and scenario modelling.
• Strong collaboration skills, especially when working with Finance and with technology/data teams.
• A focus on lifting team capability and developing analysts into trusted advisors.
• Commercial or financial awareness with the ability to link workforce data to costs and performance.
• A qualification in finance or data analytics, or equivalent practical experience at that level.
• Experience with Oracle would be an advantage.
• The organisation offers competitive salaries, five weeks of annual leave, insurances, flexible working arrangements, and career development support.
• Employees can access on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments, and study opportunities.
• The organisation is committed to supporting health, wellbeing, and work-life balance.
• The organisation’s mission is to improve housing outcomes and communities across New Zealand.
• It is committed to partnership with Māori and iwi and to protecting and enabling rights, interests, and aspirations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Core values are Manaakitanga (People at the Heart), Mahi Tahi (Better Together), and Whanake (Be Bold).
• Applications are made through the organisation’s careers process; all applicants, including current employees, must use that process.
• Applications close on Monday 6th July at 11:55pm.
• The organisation welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and values diversity and inclusion.
• If you do not meet every listed requirement but believe you are a strong fit, you are encouraged to apply.
• Applications may be reviewed as they are received, and the advertisement may close early.

About the organisation

The organisation is focused on transforming housing choices, housing outcomes, and the wider housing sector by creating homes and communities where New Zealanders can thrive. Its work is intended to have a positive impact on people’s lives and on the future of Aotearoa.