Manager Service Design | Transformation | Wellington

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

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development in Wellington seeks a Manager, Service Design to lead a high-performing practice. You will set standards, grow capability, and ensure the practice delivers customer-, workforce-, process-, and technology–oriented service designs that align with MSD’s strategic priorities.

You will also lead people management, workforce planning and professional development within a matrix organisation, shaping how services are designed across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a Service Design practice in a large delivery environment.
• Proven expertise in service design methodologies and embedding frameworks across an organisation.
• Strong workforce planning, resource allocation and capability development experience.
• Proven people leadership, coaching, performance management and team development.
• Ability to build relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders in a matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high-performing Service Design practice across MSD.
• Set standards, grow capability and ensure the practice supports strategic priorities.
• Oversee recruitment, resourcing and professional development for the team.
• Strengthen methods, standards and tools used by the service design practice.

Skills

Service Design leadership

Enterprise delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Workforce planning

People leadership

Tools

Service Design methodologies

Job description

Date: 9 Oct 2026Location: Wellington, NZCompany: Ministry of Social DevelopmentLead and grow a high-performing Service Design practiceShape consistent methods, tools and Service Design standards across MSDManage a team of Service Designs assigned to projects across MSDPermanent role based at National Office in WellingtonAbout our team | Mo te timaNew Zealand is changing, and so are we. MSD is transforming to build a smarter, simpler, more responsive welfare system.This is a rare opportunity to help shape a once-in-a-generation transformation to deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders. Join a multidisciplinary team driving people-led, technology-enabled change at scale.Business Service Design sits within the Transformation Group but supports all of MSD. It helps turn MSD's future direction into clear, connected and practical designs. The team works across transformation and the wider organisation to bring together customer, service, process, workforce and technology perspectives, supporting decisions that are aligned, evidence informed and ready to move towards delivery.About the role | Mo te tungaThis is a rare opportunity to shape how MSD delivers services into the future. Supporting Services for the Future and wider strategic priorities, you'll lead a specialist team that brings together customer, workforce, process and technology perspectives to design services that work better for New Zealanders. You'll set the standards, grow capability, and establish a service design practice that helps turn complex change into practical outcomes.As Manager, Service Design, you will lead and develop the Service Design practice that sits within MSD Services for the Future. Your focus will be growing expertise, setting consistent approaches and ensuring the practice provides the capability and capacity needed to support MSD's strategic priorities.You'll also lead people, workforce planning, recruitment, resourcing and professional development. Working with senior leaders, delivery stakeholders and other practice managers, you will strengthen methods and standards, monitor practice performance and ensure specialist resources are available where they are needed.What you bring | Ou pumanawatangaDemonstrated experience leading a Service Design practice in a large and complex delivery environment at an enterprise level.Senior-level expertise in service design methodologies.Experience establishing consistent practice and embedding frameworks, methods, tools and standards across an organisationStrong workforce planning, resource allocation and capability development experienceProven people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management and developing high-performing teamsStrong relationships with senior leaders, delivery teams and stakeholders, with the ability to work effectively in a matrix environmentExperience in strategic planning, operational management, project management, financial management and performance monitoringA commitment to embedding Te Ao Maori, Te Reo Maori, tikanga, kawa and Te Tiriti o Waitangi into the way we work.What's in it for you | Nou te rourouYou will lead a specialist practice that is central to MSD. You will have the mandate to build capability, improve professional pathways and shape how Service Design is delivered across complex work, while supporting a talented team to grow and succeed.Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga TungaManager Service Design, position descriptionSalary | Utu-a-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00Applications close | Ka kati nga tono hei te: 11.59 pm, 25 October 2026About us | Mo matouThe 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, whanau and communities.As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, 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.How to apply | Me pehea te tuku tonoBefore you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitmentTo apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [e-mail] MSD Employees - please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.Joining us | Ko te hono maiJoining MSD means being part of a whanau 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.Find similar jobs:Corporate Jobs