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Public Sector and Not-for-Profit Executive Search
As one of New Zealand's leading Public Sector and Not for Profit executive search specialists, Robert Walters connects organisations with senior leaders who deliver meaningful outcomes for communities, citizens and society.
Executive search for public sector and not-for-profit leaders
Public sector organisations and not for profit entities operate in an environment defined by accountability, community impact and evolving stakeholder expectations. Drawing on deep expertise across the sector, our executive search specialists partner with central and local government bodies, Crown entities, iwi organisations, charities and social services providers across Auckland and Wellington to identify senior leadership talent capable of driving change within complex, purpose-driven environments. We support organisations across the sector in securing executive talent for leadership positions including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs, People and Culture leaders, and senior programme and transformation leaders.
Leadership requirements across the public and community sectors are changing as organisations navigate fiscal pressure, Treaty obligations, digital modernisation and growing demand for equitable service delivery. As organisations seek leaders who combine sector expertise with strong governance capability, demand continues to grow for executives who can engage diverse stakeholders, lead significant transformation programmes and maintain public trust.
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Whether you are strengthening your leadership team or hiring for a critical executive role, our specialists can help you secure the talent needed to support your organisation's long-term goals.
Chief Executive Officer
CEO
The CEO is the highest-ranking executive in an organisation, responsible for setting strategic direction, driving performance and representing the business to its board, stakeholders and the market.
Chief Financial Officer
CFO
The CFO oversees the financial health of the organisation, leading financial planning, risk management, reporting and capital strategy to support sustainable growth and commercial decision-making.
Chief Technology Officer
CTO
The CTO leads the organisation's technology strategy, overseeing infrastructure, digital transformation and innovation to drive competitive advantage and operational capability.
Chief Operating Officer
COO
The COO is responsible for the day-to-day operational performance of the business, translating strategy into execution and ensuring the organisation runs efficiently and at scale.
Chief People Officer
CPO
The CPO is responsible for the organisation's people strategy, encompassing talent acquisition, culture, leadership development, employee experience and workforce planning.
Chief Compliance Officer
CCO
The CCO ensures the organisation operates within legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks, managing risk, governance and compliance programs across the business.
Chief Marketing Officer
CMO
The CMO leads brand, marketing and customer strategy, driving growth through market positioning and the development of campaigns that build brand equity, deepen audience connection and deliver measurable commercial results.
Executive assignments delivered for
Our Public Sector & Not-for-profit Executive Recruiters
Neil Munro
Executive Search Associate Director
Auckland, New Zealand
Neil brings more than 20 years’ experience in workforce solutions, underpinned by a strong foundation in business advisory, where ...
Sarah Mowbray
Executive Search Business Director
Wellington , New Zealand
Sarah is a Business Director in the Executive Search team at Robert Walters, specialising in senior leadership and c-suite appoint...
Samantha Stevens
Executive Search Business Director
Auckland, New Zealand
Sam is our national executive search lead specialising in Commercial, Customer, Sales, Marketing, Digital, and Strategy roles. She...
Chrissy Orman
Executive Search Researcher
Wellington, New Zealand
Chrissy is a Researcher in our national Executive Search team, specialising in identifying top-tier talent. She ensures a diverse,...
Our track record
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47
Years of combined executive search experience across our team
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80%
Of clients return to us for their next executive search
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10
Week average time to place an executive leader in a new role
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100%
Of executives we have helped would recommend our services
Our executive insights
Explore more executive insights
Growing Future Farmers – Executive Search Case Study
Our client, Growing Future Farmers, is a nationwide organisation dedicated to inspiring and developing the next generation of skilled farmers through hands on agricultural education and training.
Read More
Executive Soft Skills Guide
Why soft skills now define executive leadership Leadership expectations are evolving rapidly across Australia and New Zealand. For executive leaders and hiring decision-makers, the question is no longer whether expectations have changed, but how those changes are influencing leadership effectiveness
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Executive Job Search Guide
Senior leadership careers are rarely linear. Many executive roles are filled through executive search, professional networks and strategic relationships rather than public job boards. As organisations across New Zealand and Australia become more selective in how they identify and appoint leaders, kn
Read MoreWhat our clients say
At Robert Walters, we believe our success comes from the success of our clients and candidates. We're not just recruitment experts; we're partners in crafting your success story.
The team at Robert Walters were great, I had a number of roles to secure from varying parts of the business and in a relatively short time including our CEO. Robert Walters did a fantastic job of understanding who we are, what we are about and conveying this to candidates.
Having that central understanding made it easy to work across various roles and different specialist. The biggest challenge was picking from the shortlist of high calibre candidates that came through.
Investment
Iwi Investment & Consulting
The Robert Walters team worked very closely with us and our project team, providing support every step of the way including assisting with salary benchmarking, position description development and market analysis as well as traditional recruitment services. We value our relationship with Robert Walters, and I have no hesitation recommending them to any company.
Transport & Logistics
Rail Infrastructure
Robert Walters was engaged to manage the executive search for the new CEO of our company. The requirements for the role were challenging, as we are a NFP runs both community sports, elite competitive sports and two major facilities. Robert Walters was able to put together a high-quality shortlist of candidates. The successful candidate brought international sports administration experience and has been a good cultural fit for the organisation. We would recommend Robert Walters without qualification.
Sports & Recreation
Sporting Association
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional recruiting services provided by the team at Robert Walters. Their professional and personalised approach played a pivotal role in my successful placement as a Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO).
The team's proactive communication, transparent feedback, and commitment to aligning my career goals with the CIDO role were truly impressive. Their efforts not only ensured a smooth onboarding process but also facilitated my seamless integration into the company.
I extend my thanks to the entire Robert Walters team for their vital support. Please convey this appreciation to the team as a testament to their commitment to excellence.
Transport & Logistics
Rail Transport
As Growing Future Farmers transitions from a successful start-up into a more mature and scalable organisation, we recognised the importance of strengthening both our leadership and governance capability. The team took the time to understand not only our operational needs, but also our purpose and the unique role we play in developing future talent for New Zealand's food and fibre sector.
They understood that organisations like ours require leaders who can balance commercial discipline with a genuine commitment to impact. The quality of candidates presented, and the appointments made have positioned us strongly for our next stage of growth.
Wendy Paul
Growing Future Farmers
CEO
The team at Robert Walters were instrumental in the search, selection and shortlisting of candidates for board and subcommittee positions. Their extensive networks yielded perfect matches as well as non-traditional options which supported the diversity targets.
Sports & Recreation
National Sporting Association
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Our Executive Search team
Robert Walters Executive Search is New Zealand's specialist partner for C-suite, senior leadership and board appointments. We connect New Zealand's most influential organisations with the exceptional leaders they need to grow, transform and lead, drawing on over 25 years of local presence and the reach of one of the world's most trusted talent solutions partner.FAQs
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What is executive search for public sector and not-for-profit organisations?
Public sector and not-for-profit executive search is a specialist recruitment service focused on identifying and attracting senior leadership talent across the sector. This includes C-suite executives and senior specialists across operations, policy, strategy, transformation, finance, and stakeholder engagement functions. -
What are the benefits of partnering with an executive search firm?
Access to top talent: Partnering with an executive search firm provides access to exclusive networks and highly qualified candidates who may not be actively seeking new opportunities.
Industry expertise: Executive search firms offer specialist market knowledge and in-depth candidate assessment, helping organisations identify leaders with the right experience and cultural fit.
Streamlined recruitment: Executive search firms manage candidate sourcing, screening and assessment processes, helping organisations save time and internal resources.
Strategic advantage: Working with an executive search partner can provide a competitive advantage by helping organisations secure high-calibre executive talent in a competitive market.
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What is the difference between hiring executive talent in Auckland and Wellington?
Auckland and Wellington offer distinct executive talent markets across public sector and not-for-profit organisations. Auckland’s larger and more diverse market often creates stronger demand for executives with broad operational and transformation experience across a range of organisations and sectors.
Wellington’s close connection to central government and policy environments often creates stronger demand for leaders with expertise in governance, regulation, stakeholder engagement and navigating complex public sector environments. Hiring priorities and talent availability can vary across both locations depending on organisational goals and market conditions.
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What are the current executive hiring trends in New Zealand’s public sector and not-for-profit sector?
Demand for experienced senior leaders across New Zealand's public sector and not for profit sector remains strong, particularly for executives with expertise in public policy, Treaty of Waitangi obligations, community engagement, social services transformation and organisational governance. Public Sector Executive Search increasingly focuses on leaders who can navigate complex regulatory environments, manage significant accountability frameworks, and lead meaningful change at scale.
Not for Profit Executive Search continues to attract strong interest in leaders who can balance purpose-driven outcomes with sound financial stewardship, stakeholder engagement and sustainable organisational growth. As competition for mission-aligned senior talent intensifies, organisations are prioritising executives with strong values, proven leadership capability and the ability to deliver impact across diverse communities.