Lead Advisor, Early Learning - Whanganui

Kumaravine - Celebrating Māori & Pasifika success; Whanganui; Hybrid; NZD 100,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Education Services Group seeks a Lead Advisor, Early Learning to coordinate implementation of early childhood initiatives across the region and translate policy into practical day-to-day work. You will lead project planning, risk management, and evaluation, ensuring goals are met for the portfolio.

You will use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, support Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, and drive sustainable, equitable outcomes for learners.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership with track record of coaching and developing others.
• Ability to translate policy into day-to-day work and drive project plans.
• Experience using data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Strong systems thinking and interdependencies across initiatives.
• Commitment to unlocking Māori potential and understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate implementation of early childhood initiatives across the region.
• Translate policy into day-to-day implementation with project planning, risk management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Maintain overview of project plans and ensure goals are achieved across the portfolio.
• Lead capability-building initiatives and strengthen organisational capability.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Policy translation

Systems thinking

Te Ao Māori awareness

Job description

Lead Advisor, Early Learning - Whanganui

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.

The Lead Adviser, Early Learning coordinates the implementation of early childhood initiatives across the region. They will support the translation of policy into day-to-day implementation work including project planning, risk management, monitoring and evaluation.

The Lead Adviser, Early Learning maintains an overview of the direction and implementation of the project plans/work plans across the early childhood education portfolio of work, working to ensure goals are achieved.

Salary range: $100,296 - $121,490 per annum + kiwi saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

To be successful in this role you will have the following capabilities and competencies:

Proven leadership expertise with a track record of bringing people together, coaching, mentoring and constructively challenging others to learn, grow and achieve outcomes in a safe and supportive environment.

Lead and contribute to capability building initiatives across the region, strengthening individual and organisational capability.

Accomplished in developing and delivering workplans aligned to organisational strategy, using data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities and inform organisational and system-level decision making.

Demonstrated systems thinking, understanding linkages and interdependencies across initiatives within and beyond their area of responsibility.

Solution-focused with strong strategic and creative thinking skills, committed to unlocking Māori potential and supporting meaningful, sustainable change.

Demonstrates knowledge of, or a willingness to develop understanding of, Te Ao Māori, tikanga Māori and te reo Māori, and an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application.

The Education Services Group provides well-designed, integrated education services that support the impactful and effective operation of education settings to support student achievement and participation. The services help to remove barriers to participation and learning and provide regulatory advice, support and oversight to early learning providers, schools and kura.

The Group has three key priorities for Education Services:

Practice & Guidance: Managing practice and guidance to improve national coordination and consistency, whilst enabling regional autonomy for education service delivery.

Integration & Delivery: Providing education support directly to education settings via integrated regional and national services. This includes intervening when necessary to ensure a high standard of operation to support student outcomes and owning key stakeholder relationships to support schooling improvement and stronger outcomes for learners.

Monitoring & Improvement: Monitoring and advising on improvements to the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of services for achievement and progression, and attendance and participation. This includes monitoring education provider performance against regulations and intervening as required.

For further information, please contact Nancy Macfarlane, Manager Practice & Performance [e-mail]

Applications close Midnight – Sunday 30 August 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.