Change Lead

Ministry of Education; Wellington; On-site; NZD 141,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Ministry of Education in Wellington seeks an experienced Change Lead to partner with Te Poutāhū leadership to drive transformation arising from the Workplace Review. The role reports to the General Manager Business Operations and enables leadership and culture change across the group.

You will coach senior leaders, develop embedment plans, and build capability to sustain behavioural change, working across Te Poutāhū and other groups to ensure alignment and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading leadership, culture, or organisational transformation initiatives in complex environments.
• Proven ability to influence, support and coach senior leaders through change.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management across all levels of an organisation.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and support to the leadership team on change and implementation approaches.
• Lead organisation-wide culture and leadership change initiatives arising from the Workplace Review.
• Coach and support senior leaders to lead change effectively and consistently.
• Develop and implement change, engagement and embedment plans that support lasting behavioural change.
• Build leadership capability and understanding of change management principles and practices.
• Facilitate workshops and discussions that support leadership alignment, culture change, and improved ways of working.

Skills

Change leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching senior leaders

Change management

Workshop facilitation

Organisation transformation

Education

Change Management certification

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New ZealandHelp shape the future of Education We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

12-months secondment or fixed term opportunity Wellington-based

We are seeking an experienced Change Lead to partner with the leadership team in Te Poutāhū to drive the successful implementation of recommendations arising from the group's Workplace Review. The role reports to the General Manager Business Operations and will play a critical role in supporting and enabling leadership and culture change across the group.

As the Change Lead you will:

• Provide expert advice and support to the leadership team on change and implementation approaches.
• Lead organisation-wide culture and leadership change initiatives arising from the Workplace Review.
• Coach and support senior leaders to lead change effectively and consistently.
• Develop and implement change, engagement and embedment plans that support lasting behavioural change.
• Build leadership capability and understanding of change management principles and practices.
• Facilitate workshops and discussions that support leadership alignment, culture change, and improved ways of working.
• Work collaboratively across Te Poutāhū and with other groups to ensure alignment of change initiatives and outcomes.

Salary range: $141,146 - $171,196 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

You will work closely with senior leaders to build change capability, strengthen leadership practice, and embed sustainable cultural and behavioural change.

To be successful in the role you will demonstrate:

• Significant experience leading leadership, culture, or organisational transformation initiatives in complex environments.
• A proven ability to influence, support and coach senior leaders through change.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, including building trusted partnerships across all levels of an organisation.
• Experience designing and implementing practical change approaches that deliver measurable outcomes.
• The ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity and competing priorities while maintaining momentum and focus.
• Experience building organisational change capability and developing others through coaching and mentoring.Change Management certification and relevant professional experience.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

Desired experience

• Culture and behavioural change
• Leadership development
• Organisational development
• Executive coaching
• Workplace review implementation
• Benefits management and change embedment
• Public sector transformation

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The purpose of Te Poutāhū is to lead the national curricula for Aotearoa New Zealand and associated systems and processes of assessment and aromatawai. We design, develop, and provide curriculum services for teachers, kaiako, leaders, ākonga, their whānau and communities that reflect their identities, languages, and cultures. We bring together curriculum, teaching expertise and evidence for the development, support and review of inclusive curricula, assessment, and NCEA. Our strengths are across te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori, disability, inclusive learning support, and culturally relevant content so that Te Mahau supports learning that is inclusive for all ākonga.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

For further information, please contact Antony Harvey, General Manager Business Operations at [e-mail]

Applications close Midnight - Wednesday, 28 October 2026