Head of School Construction, Electrical, Plumbing and Automotive Trades at Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Wellington - Wairarapa

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Permanent, full-time

We are seeking an experienced manager to provide strong academic and operational leadership for the School of Construction, Electrical, Plumbing and Automotive Trades programmes.

The appointee will be a valued member of the Teaching and Learning management team and be committed to developing and implementing strategies to deliver high-quality, relevant and innovative academic programmes to meet the needs of our learners, employers and the wider community.

Key accountabilities are the following:

• Providing strategic and future-focused academic leadership, and high-level operational management of teaching and learning delivery activities within the School to ensure programmes are delivered to a high quality and meet the needs of students and other key stakeholders
• Promoting teaching excellence, enhancing staff capability and confidence, and ensuring accountability for delivery of academic programmes designed to meet student learning outcomes
• Developing and maintaining networks and relationships with key stakeholders, particularly industry, to maintain and enhance the quality and relevance of programmes and support strong partnerships
• Leading the development and implementation of operational business plans for the School that focus on continuous improvement and maximise opportunities for collaboration, cooperation and innovation from the Whitireia and WelTec strategic partnership
• Developing annual budgets and providing day-to-day oversight and management of School budgets

We are looking for a highly competent academic leader and manager with a proven track record of building and managing effective teams and delivering high-quality tertiary education programmes.

The ideal candidate will also have the following:

• A tertiary qualification, preferably in a discipline relevant to the School of Construction, Electrical, Plumbing & Automotive Trades
• Senior leadership and managerial experience, ideally in a tertiary education context
• Proven success in a leadership role, working collaboratively with staff and stakeholders to build capability and promote teaching innovation
• Sound knowledge in one or more areas of the Construction, Electrical, Plumbing and Automotive Trades sector
• Demonstrated credibility and well-developed networks and relationships within the sector
• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated positivity, energy, resilience and commitment in a previous leadership role
• Sound judgement and critical thinking to support effective decision-making

About the Team/Service/Location

Whitireia and WelTec are respected Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics and form a business division of NZIST - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Together, we are one of New Zealand's most impressive and globally competitive tertiary institutions.

We value and actively embrace diversity, recognising the strengths that different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives bring to our learning community.

We are known for our distinctiveness (Ahureitanga) and our strong relationships with mana whenua - WelTec with Te Ātiawa and Whitireia with Ngāti Toa. Together, we are more than the sum of our parts.

Mā tātou, mō tātou.
Ko WelTec ki Te Ātiawa, ko Whitireia ki Ngāti Toa.
E haere kōtui nei me kura-takahi-puni tātou.

Our vision (Whakakitenga)

Learning together. Transforming lives.
Te ako ngātahi. Te whakaahua kētanga o te tangata.

To apply

Click on 'apply now' below and complete the online application form. Please note it is important that you complete all sections of the online application. For other information, please email recruitment@wandw.ac.nz

Applications close at 8.00am on Wednesday, 20 May 2026