Team Leader Recruitment Operations at New Zealand Customs Service, Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Lead a team that finds top talent. Drive operations recruitment excellence with us.
• Ready to shape high‑impact hiring? Step into a leadership role that makes a difference.
• Bring your recruitment know‑how and lead a team to new levels of performance.
• Transform and drive our recruitment operations with your leadership and vision.

We are seeking a dynamic Team Leader HR Recruitment Operations to lead the delivery of efficient, and inclusive recruitment services that enables the organisation to attract, assess and appoint the people it needs across a broad and dynamic workforce. This role will be Auckland based.

About the role | Kōrero mō te tūranga

This role provides recruitment guidance on complex matters and leads the Operations Recruitment team. As part of the extended P&C leadership team, the role connects operational delivery with functional priorities. It fosters a strong team culture, promotes collaboration across the function, and contributes to initiatives that improve the consistency, efficiency, and impact of people services. 

About You | Ko wai koe 

To be successful as a Team Leader HR Recruitment Operations, you will have demonstrated experience in:

• Strong proven experience in HR/Recruitment roles.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, with experience coaching and developing others.
• Well-developed knowledge of recruitment best practice methods and proven ability to deliver high tempo, fit for purpose, innovative recruitment solutions.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering quality recruitment advice to stakeholders, and a commitment to service excellence through continuous improvement and innovative approaches to issues.
• Excellent communication, relationship management and problem-solving skills, across a wide range of audiences and levels.
• Ability to balance day-to-day delivery with service improvement and people capability building.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, particularly senior management and budget holders.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in human resources or a related discipline is desirable.
• Ability to achieve security clearance to a “Secret” level is required. 

Working at Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa

We aim to create a great place to work, where our people have a sense of belonging and the capability and desire to meet our future challenges.  We are an organisation that is clear about our mission, and this is underpinned by Te Pou Tokomanawa (the Foundations) and our Whanonga Pono (Values). Our work really matters to the safety and success of New Zealand. 

We care about well-being, personal growth, and job satisfaction, which is supported through: 

• offering on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership programmes, and the chance to move across diverse roles.
• fostering inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and cultural groups.
• supporting flexible working - talk to us about how we can help you achieve your flexible working goals, within our operational requirements.
• providing discounted health insurance, and free on-site gyms (in some locations).
• Three days of service holidays, in addition to four weeks of annual leave.

Working for New Zealand Customs…

To join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident* and be able to obtain and maintain an Organisational Security clearance.

(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last ten years, (including ten years ago from the date of this application) and resides in New Zealand at time of application.

OR

A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last ten years, (including ten years ago from the date of this application) and resides in New Zealand at time of application who has travelled out of New Zealand for short periods of time i.e. > 6 months in one of the following countries: Australia, United Kingdom, United States or Canada and can provide police certificates from those countries for the period of absence.

Because of the nature of Customs’ work you must have a clear Police record. Organisational security clearances are mandatory and are conducted by Customs.  You will also be required to pass a drug test.

How to apply…

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter, via our online process. (Please note, we do not accept applications sent directly to an email address).

If you have any specific questions about the role, please contact Suzanne Leahy (Senior Recruitment Advisor) at Suzanne.Leahy@customs.govt.nz.

Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.

Deadline for applications is 11pm, Sunday 8 March 2026.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. It provides equal employment opportunities and welcomes applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.Customs | Te Mana Ārai supports flexible working arrangements and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your flexible working requirements.