Manager, Contracts

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 121,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Ministry of Education is seeking a Manager, Contracts in Wellington to provide leadership and SME input for contract management across the organisation. You will lead a team of specialists and ensure contracts are designed, governed, and managed to deliver value for money, mitigate risk, and meet legislative requirements.

You will advise senior decision makers, develop contract management plans, support negotiations, and drive continuous improvement across systems and processes in the Commercial

Qualifications

• Experience leading contract management activities, including complex and high‑value agreements.
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on delivering value for money and risk mitigation.
• Ability to provide expert contract and commercial advice to senior decision makers.
• Familiarity with contract management frameworks and supplier relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of contract and commercial practitioners to deliver high‑quality management across contracts and suppliers.
• Provide professional guidance, tools, templates, and resources to contract owners.
• Support negotiations and tendering processes, applying lessons learned to improve sourcing activities.
• Establish KPIs and measurements to evaluate contract outcomes and effectiveness.
• Identify and mitigate contract risks and escalate issues as needed.

Skills

Contract management

Leadership

Risk management

Policy compliance

Commercial acumen

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand Help 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

• Permanent, fulltime opportunity
• Wellington-based

The Manager, Contracts provides leadership and subject matter expertise for contract management activity within Te Poutāhū | Curriculum Centre. This is a new role leading an existing function and has been established to help ensure contracts are strategically designed, effectively governed, and managed to deliver value for money, mitigate risk, and meet all legislative and policy requirements. The position leads a team of specialists to deliver consistent, high-quality contract and supplier relationship management practices and continuous improvement across systems, processes, and outcomes. The Manager, Contracts will also be part of a broader Commercial function and community across the Ministry, led by the Commercial team in Te Pou Rangatopu | Corporate who are the centre for commercial activities, providing frameworks, templates, and broader commercial support across the Ministry.

Salary range: $121,139 - $181,709 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 Lead, inspire, and grow a capable team of contract and commercial practitioners, fostering a high-performance culture focused on delivery, uplifting the commercial maturity of the group in managing its products and services, and alignment with wider Ministry objectives.

You will also:

• Provide specialist oversight and leadership of contract management activities, including complex, high-value, or strategically significant agreements, providing professional guidance, tools, templates, and resources to assist contract owners in fulfilling their responsibilities.
• Provide expert contract and commercial advice to senior decision makers, including on contracting activities, risk allocation, and commercial terms.
• Ensure all contract management activities are based on good commercial practice and are aligned with the Ministry’s Contract Management Framework (CMF) and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) Framework.
• Provide expert guidance and support to designated contract owners in the development and implementation of contract management plans for specific contracts during establishment and ongoing management.
• Support contract negotiations and contribute to the review of tendering documentation and processes, applying lessons learned to improve and advance sourcing activities.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and other measurements to evaluate the effectiveness of all initiatives and contracts.
• Proactively identify and mitigate contract risks, escalating issues to the appropriate authority as necessary and managing issues in a focused and time effective way.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

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?

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

Applications close Midnight – Monday, 26 October 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.