Dr Linda Sissons has considerable experience in the tertiary and vocational education sector. Most recently, Dr Sissons has been the Acting Chief Executive of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, a Crown Agent under Schedule 1 of the Crown Entities Act. As Acting Chief Executive she is responsible for leading ENZ in promoting Aotearoa New Zealand as a study destination and helping our country realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education.

Previously she was Chief Executive for the Universal College of Learning (UCOL), the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, Wellington Institute of Technology, Hutt Valley Polytechnic and Primary ITO. She was also a member of the NZIST Establishment Board from 2019 to 2020. Recently, she completed two terms as Chair of the Board of Governors of Commonwealth of Learning, an intergovernmental agency delivering technology-mediated learning for sustainable development throughout the Commonwealth, and as a member of the Education New Zealand Board.

In 2006, Dr Sissons was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to tertiary education.