Director – Infectious Diseases Research Platform

Director/KaihautūInfectious Diseases Research Platform

• Wellington based preferred

• Fixed termto2029with potential for extension

Wehave an exciting and meaningful opportunity foran experienced Directorto lead the next phase of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform.

The Government wishes to ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand has world-class research capability in place to respond to infectious disease threats into the futuretoimprovepreparedness for future pandemics.

Following the success of the first phase ofstrategic science investmentfunding the next phase of the Infectious Diseases Research Platformhosted by PHF Science with an investment of $75 million over seven and a half yearswillallow for longer-term approaches and the opportunity tofurthergrow a pipeline of researchers.

This phase of the Infectious Diseases Research Platform (IDRP) aims to:

• Significantly increase New Zealands economic and social resilience to infectious disease threats

• Grow infectious disease science leaders and research capability

• Build science surge capability able to support an effective pandemic response

• Coordinateinfectious disease research capability across the platform and with end-users to increase the impact of the research

• Work closely with Australian researchersand build further international networks

• and build on the Governmentspreviousinvestments in infectious disease research and research capability in support of resilience.

Tetūnga The role

The Director/Kaihautūis the strategic leader of the InfectiousDiseasesResearchPlatform.TheKaihautūis responsible forsupporting the governance and oversight of the platformbyensuringthe funder is regularly updated andmaintainingconfidence of the host and MBIE steering groups.

Thisis a critical roleresponsible for delivering the Platform plan with an emphasis on:

• providing strategic leadershipto the platform anditspartners

• leading developing andmaintainingeffective oversight of the Platform management(including responsibility for all staff and budget)and science quality

• maintaining strong engagement of key stakeholders includingTeTiritipartners stakeholder networks Māoriprovidersand communities and IDRP advisory groups

Note:This is athree-yearfixed term positionwith the possibility of extensionfor up to four years.Our preference is for this role and the platform hub to be based in Wellington at our Kenepuruoffice;howeverwe are open to the right candidate being based ateither of our Auckland or Christchurch offices.The role will involve travel within New Zealand to meet with relevant stakeholders and groups.

Kiaangitukoe About you

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Proven experience instrategymanagementand people leadership.

• Strong relationship management skills and experience.

• Sound commercial andprogramme experience.

• Excellenttrack recordin leading and working with diverse collaborators health professionals including physicians and other internal and external stakeholders.

• A strong understanding of the research environment in New Zealand including the health research landscape

• An awareness of the overall health and political environment in which servicesoperate and the ability toidentifyopportunities to improve systems processes and outcomes.

• Experience in leading successful change and service and quality improvement initiatives.

• Experience in developing professional frameworks and governance systems.

• A strong commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and working effectively with a range of cultures.

Ngāpainga The benefits

• Flexible working options to support balancing work and non-work commitments.

• Four weeks annual leave plus twoadditionalannual leave days and threeadditionalPHF Sciencedays (usually the three days between Christmas and New Years Eve)

• 15 days sick leaveand service leave provisions after five years

• Annual volunteer day to support an organisation or issue you care about in the community.

• Free annual flu vaccinations

• Life insurance and physical loss benefit

• Subsidised Southern Crossinsurance & access to special retail discounts.

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) a confidential and free counselling service.

MōmātouAboutUs

PHF Science (formerly ESR) is a New Zealand Public Research Organisation (PRO) dedicated to the healthsafetyand wellbeing of our communities.

We provide expert leadershipresearchand science services to enhance our public health and justice systems and power innovations and solutions to help New Zealand prosper and grow.

With four locations across Aotearoa New Zealand from Auckland to Christchurch and Wellington (Kenepuru andWallaceville) our work means New Zealanders can feel confident that disease outbreaks and environmental risks to health are monitored and managed and the impact of drug harm in the community is reduced and we live in a society where justice is supported by trustworthy evidence.

We are an accredited Living Wage employer and value our people providing excellent environment for fostering and developing our people in a values-drivenflexibleand ever-evolving landscape. We are committed to sustainability and are proud to have received ourToitūCarbonreduceCertification.

Tonomai Apply Now

We encourage applications from those with an understanding of or a willingness to develop their capability inTeTiritio Waitangi tikanga Māori and/ortereoMāori.

If you would like to request a full position description pleaseget in touch with

Applications closeat 8:00am Monday 23 March 2026

Clickapply tosubmityour application. Please ensure you upload a cover letter andCV outlining your interest and relevant skills for this opportunity.

We will be back in touch once advertising closes andapplications have been reviewed.

Please note the successful applicant willbe requiredto complete a pre-employment drug-screen and police records check as conditions of employment.