Data and Information Governance Lead

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 163,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is seeking a pragmatic Data and Information Governance Lead to establish and lead our data governance function within a major public sector transformation. You will shape governance standards, ownership, and decision-making to ensure responsible and ethical use of data while supporting enterprises-wide data strategies.

You will partner with senior leaders, digital and policy teams, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments to embed practical governance that

Qualifications

• StrongExperience leading data governance in a large organisation.
• Ability to translate policy and legal requirements into practical guidance.
• Experience developing frameworks, standards, and tools that people can easily use.

Responsibilities

• Establish data governance standards and enable clear data ownership and decision-making.
• Set direction for data governance; ensure policies and frameworks are practical and consistently used.
• Support senior leaders to make informed trade-off decisions; ensure data consolidation remains reliable and valuable.
• Document decisions with appropriate information and monitor follow-up actions.
• Collaborate with data leaders to ensure enterprise-wide data strategies, quality, and risk management.

Skills

Data governance

Stakeholder engagement

Privacy and data management

Job description

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If you enjoy working with senior leaders and shaping how data is used, this role could be for you.

Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.

This is a high-impact role where you will work at the intersection of business, data, and technology, helping shape how Ministry of Social Development uses data to improve outcomes for New Zealanders.

The role sits within the Strategy and Insights Group. Our data and information teams support MSD's purpose by ensuring information is used responsibly, safely, and in ways that build trust.

We work closely with people across MSD, including senior leaders, digital teams, policy teams, and partners across government. We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to building our capability to work in ways that reflect Te Ao Māori.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

The Ministry of Social Development is embarking on MSD - services for the future - the most ambitious transformation in New Zealand's public sector history. This multi-year programme will reshape how MSD delivers services to millions of New Zealanders, making services more proactive, inclusive, and data-driven.

With transformation underway, we are entering a period where new systems will coexist with heritage platforms, and our data environment will undergo significant and ongoing change.

To support our transformation journey we are seeking a pragmatic Data and Information Governance Lead who will be responsible for establishing and leading our data governance function including:

• Establishing data governance standards and enabling clear, accountable data ownership and decision‑making.
• Setting clear direction for data governance and making sure policies, standards, and frameworks are practical and used consistently across the organisation.
• Supporting senior leaders to make informed trade‑off decisions so consolidated data remains reliable, trusted, and valuable.
• Ensuring decisions are documented, with the appropriate levels of information, and follow up actions are monitored and progressed.
• Making sure the processes are in place so the right level of investigation and analysis has been done to provide sound advice to Data Owners.
• Working with other data leaders across the organisation to ensure what is being developed supports enterprise‑wide data strategies, quality, and risks.

You will bring:

• Strong experience establishing and leading a data governance function in a large and complex organisation.
• Experience working with senior leaders and providing clear, trusted advice.
• A good understanding of privacy, data and information management, and data‑related legislation.
• The ability to turn policy and legal requirements into clear, practical guidance.
• Experience developing frameworks, standards, and tools that people can easily use.
• Confidence working across teams, managing different views, and building strong relationships.
• A focus on responsible, ethical use of data that supports public trust.
• Willingness to be pragmatic and modify your approach to best meet organisational objectives.
• A relevant tertiary qualification and experience working across government or similar environments is desirable.
• A meaningful role that supports better outcomes for New Zealanders
• The opportunity to lead important work at an enterprise level
• A supportive and values‑based workplace
• A commitment to wellbeing, flexibility, and work‑life balance
• Opportunities to grow your leadership and professional skills
• The chance to contribute to MSD's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori

If you value responsible and ethical use of data, this role offers meaningful work with real impact.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $163,429.00 - $217,905.00

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.

We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.