Manager, Costing Planning and Performance

Ministry of Education; Wellington; On-site; NZD 121,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Education’s Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data is seeking an exceptional people leader to join us as Manager, Costing, Planning and Performance in Wellington. You will lead a team that develops cost-to-serve models, manages budgeting and financial monitoring, and provides insightful cost and performance analysis to guide investment decisions.

You will partner with Finance and Commercial colleagues, shape planning frameworks, and communicate complex information clearly to senior

Qualifications

• Proven people leadership experience, including building, developing and motivating high-performing teams.
• Significant experience in financial management, costing or performance roles with budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Experience developing cost-to-serve and financial models in digital, technology, or data and insights environments.
• Solid understanding of how digital and data services are delivered, and what drives their cost and value.
• Experience designing and implementing planning and performance frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the confidence to advise senior leaders.
• Knowledge of public sector financial and accountability settings (an advantage).
• Ability to adhere to Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and grow a high-performing team in an inclusive environment.
• Develop and maintain cost-to-serve models and digital costing frameworks.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial monitoring with clear cost visibility.
• Design and embed planning and performance frameworks; report to senior leaders.
• Partner with Finance and Commercial teams on business cases, investment decisions and benefits realisation.
• Turn complex financial data into clear, practical advice for leaders.

Skills

People leadership

Financial management

Costing and performance

Digital/data services understanding

Planning frameworks

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector knowledge

Integrity and conduct standards

Job description

About this role

Help shape the future of education in New ZealandHelp 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.

Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data is looking for an exceptional people leader to join us as Manager, Costing, Planning and Performance. The role is based in Wellington (preferred), with alternate locations considered. Reporting to the Director, Business Management, you'll lead a team that helps us understand what our digital and data services cost, how they're performing, and where we should invest next. You'll make sure our services are financially sustainable, aligned to strategy, and backed by robust cost modelling and performance insight.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and grow a high-performing team, creating a safe and inclusive environment where people do their best work
• Develop and maintain cost-to-serve models and digital costing frameworks that are accurate, transparent and consistent
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial monitoring, giving leaders clear visibility of cost drivers and value for money
• Design and embed planning and performance frameworks, and report on progress and outcomes to senior leaders
• Partner with our Finance and Commercial teams on business cases, investment decisions and benefits realisation
• Turn complex financial and operational information into clear, practical advice that helps leaders make good trade-offs

You will lead a team of approximately five positions, encompassing advisory, delivery planning, and service and relationship responsibilities.

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.

About you

We're looking for someone with exceptional people leadership skills, excellent financial nous, and a real understanding of how digital, data and insights environments work. You'll know how to build and inspire a team, how the numbers behind technology and data services fit together, and how to tell that story so senior leaders can act on it.

Qualifications

• Proven people leadership experience, including building, developing and motivating high-performing teams
• Significant experience in financial management, costing or performance roles in complex organisations, with a strong grasp of budgeting, forecasting and financial planning
• Experience developing cost-to-serve and financial models, ideally in digital, technology, or data and insights environments
• A solid understanding of how digital and data services are delivered, and what drives their cost and value
• Experience designing and implementing planning and performance frameworks
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the confidence to advise senior leaders
• Knowledge of public sector financial and accountability settings (an advantage)
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

You will join a supportive Business Management team that helps keep Te Pou Kōrero running well. You'll have the opportunity to be part of establishing and shaping this new function in Te Pou Kōrero. We value collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvement, and we back our people to grow. This is a chance to shape how the Ministry plans for and invests in its digital and data services, and to see the difference your work makes across the education system.

About our group and team

Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data provides the digital, data and technology services that support the Ministry and the wider education sector. Within the group, the Business Management team will lead planning, costing, performance and business support, working closely with our Te Pou Rangatōpū Finance and Commercial colleagues to make sure our investment in digital and data delivers real value for ākonga and their whānau. The Business Management function is new in Te Pou Kōrero.

Contact

For further information, please contact Stacey Richardson, Director, Business Management at [e-mail]

Applications close: Midnight, Thursday 29 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.