Chief Partnerships, Revenue & Impact Officer - Earth Sciences New Zealand

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Ichor Leadership Search

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Wellington, New Zealand

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Formed in July 2025 through the merger of GNS Science and NIWA, Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ) brings together around 1,100 people with leading expertise across earth, environmental, atmospheric, freshwater and marine sciences. It applies science, data and technology to New Zealand’s critical challenges - from natural hazards and climate resilience to energy and healthy ecosystems - turning insight into practical outcomes for a safer, stronger and more prosperous Aotearoa New Zealand.


ESNZ is now moving beyond its initial merger to build a more integrated, agile and commercially sustainable organisation. Its new operating model connects customer and partner needs with multidisciplinary science, scalable data and digital solutions. ESNZ is focused on developing stronger partnerships, innovation, diversified revenue and greater value from its science, intellectual property and assets.


Three new Executive Leadership Team (ELT) roles have been established to help drive this transformation through collaborative, enterprise-wide leadership. As the leader of ESNZ’s “Demand Engine”, the Chief Partnerships, Revenue & Impact Officer leads over 200 staff and is accountable for shaping the organisation’s partnership, revenue and impact agenda.


If appointed you will work closely with the Chief Executive and leadership team colleagues, connecting customer, funder, iwi/Māori, industry and government priorities with ESNZ’s science and technology. You will identify opportunities, build relationships, diversify funding and revenue, and unlock value from ESNZ’s science, intellectual property, platforms and infrastructure.


Working across ESNZ, you will align mission and growth activity to realise the scientific, public and commercial value of strategic assets that range from research vessels through to laboratories and national collections. You and your teams will drive growth and commercialisation strategies, develop partnerships based on research and innovation, and turn market insight into priorities, programmes and investment opportunities.


To be credible for this role, you will have a strong track record of driving growth, revenue diversification and building strategic partnerships, ideally in science, research, innovation or other knowledge-based environments. You will also offer:


  • Executive-level leadership experience across substantial portfolios, with accountability for strategy, performance, people and resources.
  • Strong commercial acumen, with a track record of securing significant funding, revenue, investment or strategic partnerships.
  • Exceptional relationship-building, communication and influencing skills across government, industry, iwi, research and innovation domains.
  • Ability to engage credibly with scientific and technical experts and translate capability and market needs into practical, sustainable outcomes.
  • Collaborative, empowering leadership that builds trust, connects disciplines and delivers enterprise-wide results.


There is a preference for this role to be Wellington-based.


Confidential enquiries and applications should be directed to Guy Brew or Joanna de Wilde at Ichor Leadership Search by 5.00pm on Friday 6 November. Contact us via email at search@ichor.co.nz or telephone: +64 4 499 8230.