Manager Digital Partnerships

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI); Wellington; On-site; NZD 165,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Ability to purchase extra annual leave

Annual Wellness payment

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in Wellington is seeking a Manager Digital Partnerships on a fixed-term basis to lead the PMO and the digital delivery portfolio. You will ensure governance, risks, and portfolio health are actively managed while driving high-quality delivery across MPI's digital initiatives.

You will lead a team of approximately seven staff, including project managers and business analysts, and collaborate with senior stakeholders to shape priorities and decisions during

Qualifications

• Experience as a leader, with knowledge of a PMO, project, or programme function.
• Strong knowledge of project and programme delivery.
• Exposure to waterfall and agile delivery approaches.
• Experience applying governance and assurance practices.
• Strong people leadership and stakeholder skills.
• Sound judgement and a pragmatic approach to challenges.
• Knowledge of strategic and business planning processes.
• Ability to analyse issues and make informed decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management and business analysis functions.
• Provide oversight of the digital project portfolio.
• Monitor portfolio risks and project performance.
• Deliver reporting for senior leaders and governance forums.
• Ensure consistent and fit-for-purpose delivery frameworks.
• Lead and develop a team of seven people.
• Oversee demand management and resource planning.
• Support effective project governance and assurance.
• Manage operational, financial, and people processes.
• Contribute to BTIS leadership team priorities.

Job description

Job Title: Manager Digital Partnerships

Role type: Full-time, fixed term to October 2027

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: General Salary Range A $165,336 - $193,732 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Join our Business Technology & Information Services (BTIS) directorate within Corporate Services on a fixed-term basis, covering an extended period of leave. This leadership role is responsible for providing strategic oversight of MPI's digital delivery portfolio, leading both the Project Management practice and Business Analysis function. You will ensure projects are effectively governed, risks are identified and managed, and the overall health of the portfolio is regularly assessed through robust assurance and reporting processes.

As a key member of the BTIS leadership team, you will contribute beyond your immediate area of responsibility, helping shape priorities and decisions. Leading a team of approximately seven staff, including customer engagement, Project Managers and the Business Analysis Lead, you will foster a consistent and high-quality delivery approach while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships across the organisation. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced people leader with a strong project management background, sound governance knowledge, and the ability to provide both strategic oversight and constructive challenge.

In this role, you will:

• Lead project management and business analysis functions.
• Provide oversight of the digital project portfolio.
• Monitor portfolio risks and project performance.
• Deliver reporting for senior leaders and governance forums.
• Ensure consistent and fit-for-purpose delivery frameworks.
• Lead and develop a team of seven people.
• Oversee demand management and resource planning.
• Support effective project governance and assurance.
• Manage operational, financial, and people processes.
• Contribute to BTIS leadership team priorities.

About You - Mōu

You have significant experience leading a PMO, project delivery, or programme management function and a proven ability to provide portfolio oversight, assurance, and governance. You bring a pragmatic, solution-focused approach, knowing when to dive into detail and when to focus on the bigger picture. Resilient and adaptable, you are confident leading established teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

You will be motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a diverse and high-impact portfolio that supports MPI's role in New Zealand's primary sector success. From digital services that support international trade to nationally significant infrastructure and technology initiatives, you'll help ensure successful delivery across a portfolio unlike any other in New Zealand.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Experience as a leader, with knowledge of a PMO, project, or programme function.
• Strong knowledge of project and programme delivery.
• Exposure to waterfall and agile delivery approaches.
• Experience applying governance and assurance practices.
• Strong people leadership and stakeholder skills.
• Sound judgement and a pragmatic approach to challenges.
• Knowledge of strategic and business planning processes.
• Ability to analyse issues and make informed decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Team

The team sits within the BTIS directorate and provides customer engagement, project management, and business analysis expertise to support digital initiatives across MPI. The team oversees a diverse portfolio of technology projects that enable outcomes across the organisation, working closely with business groups and stakeholders nationwide to deliver consistent, high-quality digital solutions and services.

About MPI

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

Benefits of working at MPI

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Annual Wellness payment

Credit check

Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

Are you ready to make a difference?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatāˇ Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

Applications close at 11.59pm Monday 5 October 2026

Contact: [e-mail]