Rachael Fitzjohn
People and Operations Director @Emerging Engines
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WORK HISTORY
People and Operations Director @Emerging Engines
NZ
I lead people, delivery, and operational execution at Emerging Engines, partnering closely with founders and senior leaders across the NZ tech and SaaS ecosystem to build organisations that scale well.My role spans setting and owning the people and delivery strategy for the business, leading and developing a team of People and Talent Partners, and ensuring our work with clients is commercially grounded, consistent, and high impact. I’m accountable for how we deploy capability, manage risk, grow leaders, and build systems that support sustainable performance, both for our clients and internally.I work hands-on with founders and executive teams through embedded people leadership and vCPO-style engagements, supporting growth, restructures, leadership transitions, and capability uplift. This work requires balancing commercial outcomes, human impact, and long-term organisational health - and I’m comfortable operating there.Internally, I focus on building a strong group of people, reducing reliance on individual people, and creating clarity across roles, expectations, and decision-making. I partner closely with our Founder on strategic planning, resourcing, productivity, and how we scale the business responsibly as demand grows.I’m motivated by building organisations that are clear, resilient, and human. Where leaders make good decisions, teams perform well, and people systems support rather than slow the business down.
EDUCATION
Victoria University of Wellington
Post Graduate Diploma, Human Resource Management
Auckland University of Technology
Diploma in Account Management, Advertising, communications
STW Higher Performer Group
Leadership Programme, Organizational Leadership
Victoria University of Wellington
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Gender Studies
ABOUT RACHAEL FITZJOHN
I am a proven people and culture leader with the ability to lead high performing, positive and inclusive workplaces. I am adept at understanding and addressing the needs of people, promoting a strong organisational culture, and aligning it with the company\'s performance goals. I have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and am proud of the work I have done towards creating workplaces where everyone feels valued and supported. I am an experienced organisational change leader - proactive in implementing initiatives that enhance employee well-being, job satisfaction, and overall organisational success.I have proven HR management strengths - including the development of policies, compliance and benefits administration and have deep and varied employee relations experience. Talent and capability alongside attraction and recruitment is in my bones and I am passionate about building strong and effective teams, fostering collaboration, and promoting open communication.My proven track record is marked by tangible improvements in employee engagement, retention, and organisational performance.
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