Platform Capability Lead - Client Management | Wellington | Permanent

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 138,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) leads a once-in-a-generation transformation of services to New Zealanders, delivering secure, scalable client management capabilities with a Salesforce focus. This role directs platform strategy, delivery and performance across a complex programme landscape.

You will partner with business and technology teams, vendors and transformation partners to ensure customer-centered outcomes and reliable services while maturing platform capabilities and operating

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering technology platforms in complex environments.
• Strong understanding of agile and DevSecOps practices.
• Experience with Salesforce ecosystems and integration with enterprise systems.
• Proven ability to develop capability strategies, roadmaps and investment recommendations.
• Demonstrated success leading delivery across large, complex programmes.
• Demonstrated people leadership with workforce planning and development.
• Exceptional stakeholder management across senior leaders.
• Experience working with Salesforce delivery partners and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of platform initiatives, ensuring reliable services.
• Develop and evolve platform strategy, roadmaps and investment priorities.
• Champion delivery and operational practices, manage risks and dependencies.
• Ensure platforms are secure, compliant, scalable and aligned with enterprise architecture.

Skills

Salesforce expertise

DevSecOps

Delivery leadership

Stakeholder management

Complex programmes

Enterprise integration

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Lead the strategic direction and delivery of a critical technology platform and capabilityDrive innovation through transformation and modern DevSecOps and platform engineering practicesPartner across business and technology teams to deliver outcomes within a significant transformation environmentShape platform investment to simplify and modernise systems, and improve outcomes for New ZealandersJoin a high-impact leadership role within IST where you will own the end-to-end delivery, strategy, and performance of a key platform.

About our team | Mō te tīma

Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.

Our Technology group provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services, today and into the future.

We're driving a once in a lifetime transformation of services for New Zealanders. The group is a key enabler of this change bringing together strategic thinkers, technology specialists and delivery leaders to design solutions and deliver change while keeping vital services running reliably every day.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As Platform Capability Lead, you'll be accountable for key elements of the strategic direction, delivery, and ongoing evolution of MSD's Client Management capability, with a strong focus on Salesforce and associated technologies.

Working within a complex transformation landscape, you'll quickly build an understanding of programme priorities, business outcomes, and technology dependencies to ensure successful delivery of platform initiatives.

You will bring together delivery teams, business stakeholders, vendors, and transformation partners to deliver capability that is customer-centred, scalable, and aligned with MSD's strategic objectives.

You'll work with teams and delivery partners to deliver business value, maintain critical services, and enhance the client management services with an emphasis on supporting our Salesforce platform. Success in this role will require a strong delivery mindset, the ability to navigate large-scale transformation challenges, and exceptional stakeholder engagement skills across technology and business domains.

Key responsibilities include:Lead end-to-end delivery of platform initiatives, ensuring reliable and secure servicesDevelop and evolve platform strategy, capability roadmaps, and investment priorities aligned with business and transformation objectivesChampion strong delivery and operational practices, proactively manage risks and dependencies, and enable successful delivery within complex programme environmentsEnsure platform solutions are secure, compliant scalable, and aligned with enterprise architecture and Salesforce best practicesBuild and maintain strong relationships across Technology, business stakeholders, and vendorsLead and develop a high-performing team, ensuring effective workforce planning, capability development, and delivery performance

We're committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team.

Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga

Extensive experience delivering technology platforms in complex, integrated environmentsStrong understanding of agile and DevSecOps practices, with a pragmatic delivery approachExperience with the Salesforce ecosystems and platform capabilities, knowledge and awareness of related SaaS-based platforms, and integration with enterprise systemsProven ability to develop capability strategies, roadmaps, and investment recommendations that balance business outcomes, technology priorities, and delivery constraintsDemonstrated success leading delivery across large, complex programmes, including planning, prioritisation, dependency management, and operational readinessDemonstrated people leadership, with proven ability to manage teams to deliver planned outcomes.Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across senior business, technology, and programme leadership teamsExperience working with Salesforce delivery partners, vendors, and suppliers to achieve successful outcomes and maximise valueAbility to balance strategic delivery with operational stability and continuous improvementKnowledge and experience with Salesforce is a requirement for the role; however, our platform capabilities in and of themselves are not technology -specific.

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga

A copy of the position description can be found here. Platform Capability Lead position description.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $138,125.00 - $171,889.00A salary offer will be based on the preferred candidates skills and experience and our team relativities.

Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te:Tuesday 22 September 2026.

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