About us Thankyou Payroll is a purpose-led social enterprise providing smart, secure and stress-free payroll solutions to thousands of organisations across Aotearoa. We’re on a mission to do business for good – embedding values, impact and innovation into everything we do. We’re a certified carbon positive business that thinks long-term to create a lasting positive impact for our future generations, and empower our communities for success.
As we prepare for our next phase of growth, innovation and our transition to steward ownership, we’re looking for a visionary and values-aligned CEO to lead us into the future.
About the opportunity The CEO drives Thankyou Payroll’s mission and growth, and ensures our team are empowered to be all that they can be. You’ll have overall accountability for the leadership, performance and purpose-aligned direction of the organisation. This is a unique opportunity where you’ll work closely with the Board to realise our vision, grow our impact, lead a major tech rebuild and execute our transition to steward ownership.
Your key responsibilities will be to:
- Develop and drive our strategic roadmap, aligning the team to our mission, ethos and steward ownership journey.
- Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and values-aligned culture that supports innovation and wellbeing
- Oversee the rebuild of our technology platform and drive digital transformation to enhance customer experience and future-proof the business.
- Grow the business sustainably, balancing commercial performance with ethical impact and long-term thinking.
- Ensure sound financial management, operational resilience, and risk oversight.
- Collaborate confidently with the Board through clear reporting and constructive, solutions-focused discussion.
- Build trusted relationships with the Board, investors, partners, regulators and clients.
- Champion our voice in the social enterprise ecosystem, building influence through advocacy and values-based storytelling.
- Lead the transition to steward ownership, embedding purpose-aligned governance structures for the future.
- Promote and uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi and cultural competency across the organisation.
Our ideal candidate We’re looking for an innovative leader who will bring a strong commercial and delivery mindset, with the ability to balance this with purpose and social impact. You’ll have an open and transparent communication style, the ability to lift people up and bring them together, and experience scaling a nimble business. And importantly, you’ll care as much about social good and planet as we do. Our ideal candidate will also ideally have:
- Senior leadership experience at CEO or executive level in purpose-led, people-first organisations
- Strong understanding of digital business models and tech innovation
- Deep financial acumen with an understanding of social enterprise dynamics
- Proven ability to build high-performing teams and support people to thrive
- Ability to build trust with external stakeholders through authentic connection, storytelling, and community engagement
- Established networks across SMEs and non-profit sectors
- Excitement to embrace and nurture an environment of continuing professional development – including themselves
- Genuine interest in steward ownership and long-term, purpose-driven governance
If you’re an experienced executive looking for a role where you can really make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
We’ve partnered with Kin to support us in recruiting this key role. If you have any questions before applying please contact Stacey Aubry on
[email protected] or simply apply now with your CV and a cover letter outlining your values, and how your leadership will guide our next chapter.
Applications close 17 July 2025.