Executive Director - Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence at NZ Ministry of Justice, Wellington City

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Preventing and responding to family violence and sexual violence is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most complex and enduring challenges. It requires sustained collaboration across government, communities and the wider sector. 

The Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence provides whole-of-government leadership to implement Te Aorerekura – the National Strategy and its Action Plans, supporting coordinated action and system-wide progress. 

The Board established the Centre for the Prevention of Family Violence and Sexual Violence to provide it with strategic, analytical and operational support. 

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role 

The Executive Director leads the Centre to support the Board to fulfil its functions and exercise effective system leadership. You are the Board's principal advisor on strategy, performance and investment. 

The role of the Centre and the Executive Director have been refreshed to sharpen its focus. As Executive Director you will embed the new direction and drive a high-performance, collaborative culture.  

Reporting to the Board Chair, the Secretary for Justice, this role operates at the centre of a complex system, working across organisational boundaries to influence, align and support delivery, recognising that outcomes are achieved collectively rather than through direct control.  

As Executive Director, you will: 

• Provide robust, evidence-based advice to the Board and Ministers on system priorities, investment and performance. 
• Lead the Centre to provide high-quality strategy, analysis, performance reporting and secretariat support. 
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of system strategy for Board approval, including Te Aorerekura, the 25-year national strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence. 
• Support the Board to oversee cross-agency delivery, including identifying risks, gaps and opportunities. 
• Support clear communication of Board decisions and expectations across government agencies. 
• Build and maintain effective relationships across government, the sector, and with Māori partners. 
• Ensure the Board meets its governance and Parliamentary accountability requirements. 

He pūkenga tou | Skills and experience 

To be successful in this role, you will bring: 

• Extensive experience providing strategic, evidence-based advice at senior levels, including to Ministers and chief executives 
• Proven experience leading strategy, performance and/or investment in complex public sector environments 
• Strong system leadership capability, with the ability to influence across organisational and sector boundaries 
• Experience working across government, communities and service providers to deliver collective outcomes 
• Sound understanding of public sector governance, accountability and investment frameworks 
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building organisational capability 
• High levels of judgement and the ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive and ambiguous environments 
• Demonstrated capability to engage in a Te Ao Māori context and support Crown–Māori relationships 

Mō mātou | About us 

The Executive Board is hosted by the Ministry of Justice and plays a key role in supporting Ministers and government to improve outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities affected by family violence and sexual violence. 

The Board is responsible for providing advice, coordination and system leadership across agencies. 

The Centre for the Prevention of Family Violence and Sexual Violence supports the Board by providing a whole-of-system perspective, working alongside agencies and sector partners to enable coordinated action. 

The Centre's role is to support strategy, investment planning, performance monitoring and system design, ensuring the Board has the information and support required to drive progress and outcomes. 

Further information about Executive Boards is available on the Public Service website and the relevant legislation can be found here: Public Service Act 2020 | New Zealand Legislation. 

Tono mai/How to Apply

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website.  You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application from by attaching you CV and cover letter.

Applications close on Monday 22 June 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact Graham.Lees@justice.govt.nz