Chief Students Officer Greater Dunedin, New Zealand Area

OPERATIONS DIVISION | TE WĀHANGA WHAKAHAERE

Shape the student experience at one of New Zealand's leading universities

The University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading universities, with a distinctive residential character and a strong commitment to student success, wellbeing and belonging.

We are seeking an outstanding senior leader to join the University as Chief Students Officer, a newly established role with responsibility for the strategic leadership, integration and performance of the University's student services, pastoral care, residential life, wellbeing, safety and student experience functions.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a portfolio of significant scale and breadth and to shape the services and environments that support students throughout their time at Otago.

Te mahi | The role

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) and as a member of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Group, you will provide executive leadership across an extensive and diverse student facing portfolio. With an operating budget of approximately $107 million and more than 400 staff, the portfolio spans residential colleges and accommodation, student health and wellbeing, disability support, recreation, careers and campus safety alongside services supporting Māori and Pacific students.

This is both a strategic and highly operational leadership role. Working closely with the Provost and leaders across the University, you will strengthen and connect support across the student journey, lead service improvement and redesign, and ensure services are accessible, culturally responsive, financially sustainable and easy for students to navigate. You will build strong partnerships with the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) and student communities, ensuring student voices inform the design and improvement of services.

In this role you will also provide senior leadership for the University's pastoral care, wellbeing and student safety responsibilities, including its obligations under the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice and other relevant regulatory frameworks.

Above all, you will help shape the unique Otago experience, creating an environment in which students can live well, feel safe, belong and participate fully in university life.

Kā pūkeka me kā wheako | Your skills and experience

We are looking for an accomplished senior leader with significant experience in the tertiary sector and a strong understanding of contemporary student experience. You will understand the diverse needs and expectations of students and how services, support and residential environments contribute to their wellbeing, belonging, participation and success.

You will bring substantial operational leadership and service delivery experience across large, diverse and complex environments, together with senior level oversight of student facing services. You will know how to connect services around students’ needs and bring a strong working knowledge of pastoral care, student wellbeing and the regulatory environment within which universities operate.

Commercially astute, you will be comfortable leading significant budgets and making sound decisions about priorities, resources and service models. You will have the judgement and curiosity to question how services are organised, identify opportunities for improvement, and lead change across established structures and professional disciplines.

You will be an experienced people leader, who can lead through others, build capability and bring together teams with very different professional disciplines and service areas. You will also have the credibility and relationship skills to work effectively with students and student representatives, academic and professional leaders, and external partners.

You will bring strong cultural capability, including an understanding of Māori and Pacific communities, te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, and a commitment to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi through your leadership. You will champion equitable outcomes and accessible, inclusive services and environments.

For someone who has built a career in tertiary education and is ready for a substantially broader leadership challenge, this is a rare opportunity to strengthen Otago’s distinctive residential and pastoral model and shape the student experience at institutional scale.

Pūroko | Further details

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), permanent position.

Given the scale, operational nature and importance of the portfolio, the Chief Students Officer will be based on campus in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.

The University of Otago values diverse perspectives and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment where staff and students can thrive.

For further information or to discuss this role in confidence, please contact Elena Calvert (Recruitment Manager) via the email address below.

Tono | Application

To submit your application (including CV and cover letter) please click the apply button. Applications quoting reference number 2601514 will close on Sunday, 15 November 2026.

Additional Information

Contact: Elena Calvert

Position details: Information for Candidates and Job Description

Further Information: Department Website

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Location: About Dunedin