Corrections Department chief executive Barry Matthews is retiring.
His contract is coming to an end and the department is advertising for his replacement.
Applications close at the end of August.
Mr Matthews came under fire last year following a report into the department's handling of offenders on parole.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins at the time refused to express confidence in him after what she described as an alarming report from the Auditor General.
At the time, the Labour Party claimed a deal had been struck between Mr Matthews and the minister for him to step down.
Mr Matthews later said he never intended to resign.
