Head of Digital Operations

• Drive reliable, secure, and efficient IT operations across Council
• Shape stronger processes and uplift the delivery of digital services
• Life Insurance + Wellbeing/Volunteering leave + Flexible working

About the role:

This is an opportunity to make a real impact — shaping how Selwyn District Council delivers digital services that matter to our community.

As Head of Digital Operations, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of IT service delivery, cybersecurity, and digital data management. You'll play a key role in ensuring our systems are reliable and secure, focusing on getting the essentials right — strengthening operations, embedding effective processes, and improving service delivery, all while laying the groundwork for future digital growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the day-to-day operations of networks, infrastructure, and applications, ensuring high availability and performance.
• Managing IT budgets and ensuring responsible investment of public funds.
• Driving cybersecurity and risk management, ensuring robust protections and compliance.
• Overseeing vendor relationships and technology contracts to deliver value and innovation.
• Ensuring service continuity through disaster recovery and resilience planning.
• Building strong relationships across Council to align digital services with business needs.

About you:

You'll be a leader who thrives on improving systems and services, with a proven track record in IT operations. You combine technical expertise with strong leadership and communication skills, and you're passionate about using technology to deliver better outcomes for people.

You'll bring:

• Expertise in IT infrastructure, systems administration, and service management (ITIL or similar).
• Financial management experience, including budgets and vendor contracts.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, data protection, and risk management.
• The ability to engage stakeholders and coach staff through change.

What we can offer:

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteer leave
• Three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension
• Discounts with local and national businesses

About us:

Selwyn is New Zealand's fastest growing district. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our head office is based in Rolleston (only 25km from Christchurch), which offers an enviable family lifestyle, outstanding local facilities and an easy drive to the ski fields, rivers and hills that make up Canterbury's stunning landscape.

Our values are important to us and represent the way we work: · Be a good human · Be brave - Think differently · Better together- Make it happen for Selwyn.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you'd like to play a part in making Selwyn the best place to live, work and play, join us today!

To apply for this job go to: https://sdcjobs.co.nz/Vacancies & enter ref code: 6820436. 

Applications close 29 October 2025