Lead Psychologist
Date: 26 Jun 2026
Location: New Zealand, NZ Wellington, NZ, 6011 Auckland, NZ, 1010
Company: New Zealand Rugby Union Incorporated
Lead Psychologist
New Zealand Rugby has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lead Psychologist to join our Mental Health & Wellbeing team.
About the role
As Lead Psychologist, you'll provide expert clinical guidance, advice, and support across NZR's mental health and wellbeing programmes. You’ll lead and contribute to initiatives that support mental health, wellbeing and psychological safety, strengthen our risk and crisis response systems, and build education and capability across rugby. You’ll also play a key role in developing the frameworks, resources and best practice processes that guide this mahi. Working closely with National Teams, Super Rugby clubs, Provincial Unions, medical teams, and wellbeing practitioners, you'll help strengthen collaboration, enhance support pathways, and provide leadership across NZR's network of mental wellbeing as well as provide support to mental skills and performance psychology providers.
Please note, this role is 20 hours per week (0.5 FTE).
About you – what you’ll bring
You’re a registered clinical or counselling psychologist with at least five years’ experience, including time spent working in multi disciplinary environments. You’re a member of either the NZCCP or the New Zealand Psychological Society, and you hold current registration with the New Zealand Psychologists’ Board along with a valid APC. You bring experience working with diverse communities, including young people, and you’re confident applying cultural models of mental health and wellbeing - particularly those grounded in Te Ao Māori and Pasifika worldviews. A skilled communicator and trusted advisor, you offer strong clinical judgement, the ability to build meaningful relationships, and a practical, solutions focused approach. You also have some understanding of performance psychology and athlete wellbeing, and you have a genuine passion for supporting people and teams to thrive.
You’ll be committed to ongoing professional development, supervision, and maintaining competency in line with NZPB regulations.
About Us
At NZR we love what we do, we work hard and have fun! You’ll be joining a team of awesome people who are passionate about the game and each other, and you’ll be backed with support to thrive in your role. We know that life isn’t all about work, so we are open to flexible working options.
We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to improving our cultural responsiveness. We embrace and respect each other’s values and we are so proud to be Rainbow Tick certified. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life.
What we offer (benefits)
• Learn & Grow Your Career | Flexible Work Environment
• Receive Rugby Tickets | Sports Apparel | Discounts
• Wellbeing | 5 weeks Annual Leave | Social Club
Apply Now
If you are looking to join a fantastic group of people and think you have what it takes, then don’t delay, submit your CV and cover letter now! Don’t wait until the closing date to apply as we will be reviewing applications as we go.
>> Applications close at 5:00pm, Sunday 12 July 2026
>> For a copy of the position description, click here
>> We welcome applcations from around New Zealand
To be considered for this position you must be legally entitled to work in Aotearoa New Zealand and obtain a clear MOJ check.
Studies have shown that people from under-represented backgrounds, including women, are less likely to apply for roles where they don't match the job description criteria exactly. If you're excited about this role and think you have what it takes, but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply.
Our recruitment process is fair and inclusive and we encourage our applicants to let us know if we can make it more user-friendly for them. We value diverse perspectives and the contribution every one of our people makes to our culture. Put simply - you can be yourself here.