Principal Adviser - People Strategy & Innovation
The best People & Culture teams don't just respond to today's workforce challenges. They anticipate what's next, challenge established thinking and turn strategy into meaningful organisational outcomes.
Heritage is one of New Zealand's largest providers of Residential Aged Care services, providing a warm and welcoming home to over 2,200 people. Our 2,700 employees help our residents experience a better every day in their later years.
As we continue to evolve our People & Culture function, we have created an exciting opportunity for a Principal Adviser - Strategy & Innovation to work alongside our Chief People Officer and help shape our future people agenda.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi
This is not a traditional HR advisory role. Working directly with the Chief People Officer, you will help turn our People Strategy into coordinated action, measurable outcomes and sustainable change.
Your remit will span strategic workforce planning, organisation design, employee experience and EVP, employee listening, strategic programmes and organisational transformation. You'll also explore emerging workforce trends and opportunities across AI, automation and new ways of working.
As a senior individual contributor, you'll work across P&C and the wider organisation, using credibility, influence and strategic thinking to connect people and ideas and drive enterprise priorities.
We're looking for someone who can move confidently between strategy and delivery, from developing Executive or Board-level recommendations to getting complex programmes moving.
This role is ideally based in Wellington. For the right candidate, we may also consider Christchurch.
Skills & Experience | He pūkenga tou
You will:
- Possess genuine respect, empathy and interest in others.
- Bring significant senior experience across People & Culture, organisational strategy, transformation, organisation development or a related discipline.
- Be an exceptional strategic thinker who can translate organisational ambition into clear priorities and practical outcomes.
- Demonstrate experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives through influence rather than positional authority.
- Bring strong capability in strategic workforce planning, organisation design and organisational change.
- Have experience shaping employee experience, EVP or enterprise people initiatives using employee insight and evidence.
- Be highly analytical and able to turn workforce information, research, employee feedback and external trends into strategic recommendations.
- Bring curiosity and practical experience in AI, automation and new ways of working, with a focus on adoption and measurable value.
- Be confident preparing high-quality Executive and Board papers, business cases and strategic recommendations.
- Have the credibility to constructively challenge senior leaders and bring a clear point of view.
- Be a natural connector who can work across functions and enable others to succeed.
- Bring strong programme leadership capability and an ability to turn ideas into sustainable organisational outcomes.
Experience in healthcare, aged care, a highly regulated environment or a large geographically dispersed organisation would be advantageous.
We're looking for someone curious about what's next, who challenges conventional thinking and turns complex problems into practical solutions.
What we offer our employees | Ngā mea e tukuna ana e tātau
- Work directly with the Chief People Officer on enterprise-wide strategic priorities.
- Help shape Heritage's future People Strategy, workforce capability and employee experience.
- Genuine scope to explore innovation, AI business adoption and new ways of working.
- Exposure to complex organisation design, transformation and strategic workforce challenges.
- A collaborative P&C team where curiosity, ideas and constructive challenge are welcomed.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference within one of New Zealand's largest aged care providers.
- Ongoing opportunities for professional development and growth.
Welcome to Heritage Lifecare | Nau mai haere mai ki Heritage Lifecare
We recognise the Treaty of Waitangi and its importance to Māori and how it applies to the work at Heritage Lifecare. This includes adhering to the concepts of whanaungatanga, whakapapa and manaakitanga to foster an environment where people can work together with ease and understanding.
How to Apply | Tono mai
Please submit an online application by selecting the 'Apply' link.
Don't delay in applying. We review applications as they are received and may begin interviewing before the closing date. If we find the right candidate early, we may close the advertisement early.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. We may therefore be unable to support a visa application for this position
