Head of Technology Operations & Business Applications

Mō te tūranga | About the Role

At Westpac NZ, technology is fundamental to how we serve our customers and support the financial wellbeing of New Zealanders. We're looking for a strategic and inspiring technology leader to join our Technology Leadership Team as Head of Technology Operations & Business Applications.

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, you will lead the technology operations, service management, resilience, and business applications functions across Westpac NZ. This role is responsible for ensuring our technology services are reliable, secure, scalable, and customer-focused, while driving continuous improvement and innovation across the technology landscape.

You'll play a critical role in shaping our technology reliability strategy, strengthening operational resilience, improving service performance, and leading high-performing teams that support some of Westpac's most critical business platforms and services.

Key responsibilities include:

Technology Strategy & Transformation

• Develop and execute Westpac NZ's Technology Service Reliability strategy aligned to broader Technology and business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement, automation, operational excellence, and innovation across technology operations.
• Champion service resilience and reliability initiatives to support business continuity and customer outcomes.
• Lead transformation activities that modernise service management capabilities and improve operational performance.

Technology Operations & Service Management

• Lead all aspects of Technology Service Management, including Incident, Problem, Change, Capacity, Asset and Operational Management.
• Ensure technology services meet performance, availability, stability and resilience objectives.
• Drive improvements in service risk management, production support, and operational governance.
• Provide executive leadership and communication during major incidents and critical service events.
• Establish and monitor service metrics, KPIs and operational health indicators.
• Partner across technology teams to improve service reliability, reduce customer impacts, and enhance recovery outcomes.

Business Applications Leadership

• Lead the Business Applications portfolio, ensuring technology solutions effectively support business priorities.
• Sponsor application roadmaps and technology investment planning.
• Ensure engineering and delivery practices align with enterprise standards and technology strategy.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across application teams.

Partner & Stakeholder Management

• Build trusted relationships with senior business leaders, executives, technology partners, and vendors.
• Establish effective engagement models across business divisions and technology functions.
• Drive strong vendor governance and service performance outcomes.
• Influence decision-making at executive level through data-driven insights and strategic advice.

Nā tāu rourou | What will you bring?

We're looking for an experienced technology executive who combines strategic vision with operational excellence.

• Significant senior leadership experience in Technology Operations, Infrastructure, Engineering, Service Management, or Enterprise Technology environments.
• Deep expertise in IT Service Management (ITIL), Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), DevOps and operational resilience.
• Proven experience leading large-scale technology operations and mission-critical business services.
• Strong experience with incident management, crisis management, disaster recovery, and technology risk management.
• Demonstrated success leading large, diverse teams through transformational change.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Experience working in Agile, Lean, product-led, or customer-centric operating models.
• A tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.

Westpac Hei Wāhi Mahi | Working at Westpac

In addition to immersing yourself in a supportive team environment, you'll receive some great job perks and benefits including:
• 4 weeks standard holiday + 5 additional days of wellbeing leave to support you to be your best
• Additional purchased leave options up to 4 weeks per year
• Banking benefits, insurance discounts and superannuation scheme
• Growth and development – we provide opportunities for development and promote internal mobility
• Recognition - we recognise and reward our star performers
• School holiday subsidy - help you balance work and family during school holiday
• 2 Volunteer days per year

Ko mātou tēnei | Our Organisation
At Westpac, we’re working together to build a fairer and stronger New Zealand for our people, customers, and communities. For over 160 years we’ve been driven by our purpose to Create Better Futures Together.

What makes us unique are the incredible people we’re lucky enough to have walk through our doors every day. The giant ‘W’ on our building doesn’t just stand for Westpac – it says, double you. We’re a place that values, rewards and recognises individuality. Where you can be your whole self, your true self, and your best self. We’re recognised as a place where talent is developed, where passions are fuelled and where ambitions of all shapes and sizes thrive. And it all starts with you!

Tono mai ināianei! | Apply Now!

Apply today with your CV and Cover Letter. 

The people of Aotearoa, New Zealand hail from many cultures and backgrounds. At Westpac New Zealand, we draw on this enormous talent pool to cultivate a team rich in ability and empowered to reach its full potential. Our aim is to be brave challengers, celebrating our differences and relentlessly advocating for our customers. It starts with us – we believe that when we care deeply and do our best for our people, they’ll do their best for our customers. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, including those who are neurodivergent, have chronic health conditions or disabilities – your attitude and passion are as important to us as your experience, qualifications and capabilities. 

Mahi tahi tātou, kaha ake tātou | Together Greater

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