Chief Advisor, Education Workforce Supply and Leadership - Wellington

Kumara Vine; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 141,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Kumara Vine in Wellington seeks a Chief Advisor to lead policy and strategy for education workforce supply and leadership. You will shape workforce strategies, provide expert advice to government, and navigate complex issues with evidence-based recommendations.

You will work across policy and delivery teams, drive long-term workforce planning, and influence decisions that affect teachers, leaders, and specialists.

Qualifications

• Expertise in leading public policy and government advisory work.
• Experience developing frameworks using data and evidence.
• Ability to work across policy and delivery teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic thinking and provide expert advice on supply, growth and leadership of the education sector workforce.
• Shape workforce strategies and expenditure to ensure access to great teachers and leaders.
• Deliver advice grounded in evidence and data, seeing the big picture and guiding smart decisions.
• Collaborate across policy and delivery teams to drive change.

Skills

Policy leadership

Data-driven decision making

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Education

Tertiary degree in policy, economics or similar

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Chief Advisor, Education Workforce Supply and Leadership - Wellington

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.

Come join a thriving strategy and operational policy team, focused on attracting, training and retaining the best talent in the education workforce – teachers, school leaders, specialists and more.

As Chief Advisor you’ll lead strategic thinking and provide expert advice on the supply, growth, and leadership of the education sector workforce. Your work will shape workforce strategies and expenditure, helping to ensure every child has access to great teachers, specialists and leaders.

You’ll draw on your strengths in policy and strategy to deliver advice grounded in evidence and data. This role is about seeing the big picture—identifying trends, tackling complex workforce issues, and helping guide smart, future-focused decisions.

If you're driven by impact, thrive on complexity, and want to help lead change that matters—this is your opportunity.

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.

You are a credible and influential leader who thrives on solving complex problems and shaping outcomes. You bring experience providing strategic advice in a large and dynamic environment, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, build trusted relationships, and influence within and across organisational boundaries. To be successful in this role, you will have the following capabilities and competencies:

Expertise in leading public policy, and the provision of advice to governments on complex issues

Experience in developing frameworks and using data and evidence to determine the best response to issues

Able to work across policy and delivery teams

Bring a solution-focused mindset

Be influential towards achieving outcomes

Be highly motivated to deliver and contribute.

Demonstrate the ability to respond and take ownership for work, be self-managing

Have a calm approach and be clear headed in your thinking

Be able to adapt to changing circumstances and respond to pressure

You will have:

A tertiary degree in policy, economics or similar

Well-developed presentation and writing skills

Experience working at a senior policy level in the public service

An understanding of the machinery of government, including a working knowledge of public financial management

You'll join a supportive and collaborative leadership team that values innovation, continuous improvement and shared success.

Our Group (Te Pou Ohumahi Mātauranga) develops and implements strategies for the education workforce and its leaders, focusing on specialist services, employment relations, pay equity, and more, so that we have the education workforce with the right supports, in the right places at the right time.

Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026

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.