Change Director, Establishment

Justice; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice in Wellington is seeking an experienced Change Director to lead operational change across the organisation, embedding new ways of working. You will work with senior leaders to translate priorities into practical action and coordinate readiness for Te Au Reka phases 2 and 3.

You will direct the Change & Implementation team, manage risks, and ensure delivery of secure, sustainable improvements in day-to-day services within a fixed-term arrangement until 30 August 2029.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading and embedding change in a large or complex operational organisation.
• Strong understanding of change management principles and how to apply them pragmatically.
• Experience translating programme or organisational priorities into achievable operational plans.
• The ability to influence across teams and build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading people and coordinating resources across competing priorities.
• Clear communication skills, including the ability to present complex issues, options and recommendations succinctly.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate operational change and implementation planning across Operations and Service Delivery.
• Work with senior leaders to identify change impacts, resolve issues and agree practical actions.
• Provide clear advice on readiness, risks, dependencies and resourcing trade-offs to support informed decisions.
• Support leader-led change so teams understand what is changing and what they need to do.
• Lead the Change and Implementation team and work across organisational boundaries to deliver shared priorities.
• Help embed new ways of working and support a coordinated transition into business as usual.

Skills

Change leadership

Stakeholder management

Operational integration

Communication

Risk management

Job description

Job Description

Lead operational change that helps our people prepare for new ways of working.

Work alongside senior leaders to turn change priorities into practical action.

Support Operations and Service Delivery readiness for Te Au Reka phases 2 and 3.

Change Director, Change & Implementation

Wellington | Fixed term to 30 August 2029

We are looking for an experienced change leader to help Operations and Service Delivery prepare for and embed operational change, with a particular focus on Te Au Reka phases 2 and 3. Reporting to the Group Manager, Commissioning and Service Improvement, you will work closely with the Operations Leadership Team, operational leaders and programme teams to translate change into clear, coordinated delivery.

Responsibilities

This is a business-facing leadership role focused on what change means for our people and day‑to‑day services. You will connect programme activity with operational needs, clarify responsibilities and help leaders manage readiness, risks and competing demands. Working alongside the Te Au Reka programme, your focus will be on preparing the business for implementation rather than directing the programme itself. As Change Director you will:

• provide thought leadership on operational change, constructively challenging existing approaches and helping senior leaders shape practical, sustainable ways of working.
• Lead and coordinate operational change and implementation planning across Operations and Service Delivery.
• Work with senior leaders to identify change impacts, resolve issues and agree practical actions.
• Provide clear advice on readiness, risks, dependencies and resourcing trade-offs to support informed decisions.
• Support leader‑led change so teams understand what is changing and what they need to do.
• Lead the Change and Implementation team and work across organisational boundaries to deliver shared priorities.
• Help embed new ways of working and support a coordinated transition into business as usual.

Ō Pūkenga/Skills And Experience

You will bring sound judgement, strong relationship skills and a practical approach to delivering change. You will be comfortable working with senior leaders, navigating ambiguity and bringing people together to resolve complex operational issues.

• Significant experience leading and embedding change in a large or complex operational organisation.
• A strong understanding of change management principles and how to apply them pragmatically.
• Experience translating programme or organisational priorities into achievable operational plans.
• The ability to influence across teams and build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading people and coordinating resources across competing priorities.
• Clear communication skills, including the ability to present complex issues, options and recommendations succinctly.

Mō mātou/About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

Benefits

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• flexible work hours where possible
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $149,972 and $193,782 based on skills and experience.

Applications close on 26 November

; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.

If you have any questions, please contact [e-mail]