Japan coach Jamie Joseph will return to the Highlanders after the World Cup to take up a new head of rugby role overseeing recruitment and retention, and mentoring head coach Clarke Dermody at the Super Rugby Pacific outfit.
The former All Blacks and Japan flanker coached the Dunedin-based Highlanders to their only Super Rugby trophy in 2015 before taking charge of Japan, known as the Brave Blossoms, the following year.
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Joseph said the four-year deal with the Highlanders was a great opportunity to "give back" to the club and the region.
"I did my study at the University of Otago, played for Otago and my family have enjoyed being raised and schooled in Dunedin," he said in a statement.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time as head coach of the Highlanders, so I am genuinely excited about returning to the South to offer my services to the club in 2024."
The weakest of New Zealand's five Super Rugby Pacific teams, the Highlanders failed to reach the playoffs this season after finishing ninth on the ladder.
The departures of veteran All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, flanker Shannon Frizell and lock Josh Dickson to Japan after the World Cup will add to the challenge for Joseph and Dermody.
“Whilst this a new position for the club it is common in other parts of the world. I see enormous value in having a proven and experienced world class coach like Jamie leading the overall rugby programme," Dermody said.
"The advice and direction he will bring is exciting from my perspective, I believe this is a positive step by the club and I am looking forward to working with him again”.
“I think we can count ourselves as very fortunate to have attracted a candidate of the calibre of Jamie to the role," Highlanders Chairman Peter Kean added.
"His accomplishments with the Highlanders and then in Japan have seen him become a sought-after coach in world rugby.
"His experience will no doubt be a significant boost to our rugby programme and young coaching team."
