Manager Contract Development (48255)

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 143,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development in Wellington, NZ, is seeking an experienced Manager, Contract Development to lead the contract development and management of social service agreements. The role focuses on ensuring high-quality templates, translating strategy into plans, and providing guidance to stakeholders across MSD.

You will lead a team, manage contracting processes, and drive continuous improvement while mitigating risk in a dynamic public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in contract development and management within a large organisation.
• Strong knowledge of social contracting, provider management, and contract development practices.
• Experience developing strategies, policies, frameworks, and processes related to contracting or social service delivery.
• Ability to provide expert advice on complex contractual, legislative, and policy matters.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with coaching and capability building.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team responsible for the development, review, and management of social service contracts.
• Ensure contract templates, arrangements, and contracting practices are high quality and aligned with priorities.
• Provide operational leadership across contract development activities and translate priorities into practical plans.
• Advise stakeholders across MSD on contracting matters and support informed decision-making through reporting.
• Support continuous improvement, risk management, and positive outcomes for providers and communities.

Skills

Contract development

Contract management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Policy guidance

Project management

Risk management

Job description

Job Details

Date: 20 Sept 2026 Location: Wellington, NZ Company: Ministry of Social Development * Wellington based * Permanent opportunity

About the role

Mō te tūnga

We're looking for an experienced leader to join our Social Procurement, Enablement & Performance group as Manager, Contract Development. In this role, you will lead a team responsible for the development, review, and management of social service contracts. You will ensure that contract templates, contractual arrangements, and contracting practices are consistent, high quality, and aligned with organisational priorities. You will provide operational leadership across contract development activities, translating strategic priorities into practical plans and ensuring work is delivered effectively. You'll work closely with stakeholders across MSD, providing advice and guidance on contracting matters and helping to support informed decision-making through reporting and insights. This role plays an important part in strengthening contract development practices across the organisation. You will support continuous improvement, ensure compliance with relevant policies and processes, manage risk, and contribute to positive outcomes for providers, communities, and MSD. As a people leader, you will build capability within your team, foster a collaborative working environment, and support your people to deliver high-quality work in a complex and changing environment.

What you bring

• Significant experience in contract development and contract management within a large and complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of social contracting, provider management, and contract development practices.
• Experience developing and implementing strategies, policies, frameworks, and processes related to contracting or social service delivery.
• The ability to provide expert advice on complex contractual, legislative, and policy matters.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, with a focus on coaching, capability building, and creating a positive team culture.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build productive working relationships across a wide range of groups.
• Experience working within, or alongside, public sector organisations and a sound understanding of government processes and operating environments.
• Strong planning, operational management, project management, and performance monitoring skills.
• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering results in a fast-paced environment.
• A practical approach to problem-solving, with sound judgement and the ability to manage risk appropriately.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and the ability to identify opportunities to strengthen systems, processes, and ways of working.
• Experience leading through change and supporting teams during periods of transition while maintaining performance and service delivery.

Position Description

Manager Contract Development

He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00

Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Monday 28th September, 2026. Please note that we will be reviewing applications as they are received, and interviews will be scheduled shortly after the closing date.

About us

Mō mātou 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 us

Ko te hono mai 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. If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.