Who got that job?

Were you one of the people who applied for this job and wondered who got it?

Job title: Director of HR and business capability, New Zealand Insurance.

Yes, it is an unusual-looking job title - John Williams is the first to say so - but it goes with an approach many would find unique.

His new job requires oversight of both HR and IT teams in an effort to ensure that they are cross-functional and complete projects and programmes with the wider business in mind, not just individual departments.

"It's an interesting mix," says Williams, 42. "My job is a leadership role. It's about ensuring that my departments, strategically and operationally, are aligned."

The role was created after restructuring at NZI late last year, and while the company searched for a new head, Williams spent nine weeks on contract filling the role. He decided to apply and now manages 46 people, 12 in HR, the balance in IT.

He says they form a good, willing team and describes himself as optimistic that he will get the paper on his desk down to manageable levels.

Williams has a University of Auckland law and commerce degree and started his career as a chartered accountant at consulting firm KPMG, later moving into consulting.

Until late last year he was with Air New Zealand in a project management role, but decided that the arrival of his second child then was a good time to take a break. He had five months off before starting the search "for a step up" with another large organisation.