Practice Manager, Specialist Applications

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

Job summary

New Zealand Government via the Ministry of Education seeks a Practice Manager – Specialist Applications to lead a team of specialists supporting essential digital platforms and products. You will shape delivery practices, resource planning and governance to ensure secure, reliable digital services for ākonga and whānau across Aotearoa.

You will coach practitioners, drive capability development, manage budgets and risks, and align standards with organisational practices.

Qualifications

• Experience leading specialist practitioner teams.
• Ability to manage budgets and risks.
• Proven track record delivering digital services.
• Translate strategy into practical delivery.
• Strong communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of specialist practitioners supporting digital platforms and products.
• Build team capability, plan resources and ensure right people, tools and ways of working.
• Collaborate with product teams, technology leaders and stakeholders across the Ministry.
• Set clear standards, strengthen delivery practices, manage budgets and risks.
• Create an inclusive, supportive environment where people can grow and perform at their best.

Skills

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Digital platforms

Resource planning

Risk management

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

As Practice Manager – Specialist Applications, you will lead a team of specialist practitioners who support the Ministry’s important digital platforms and products. You will be responsible for building team capability, planning resources and ensuring the right people, tools and ways of working are in place to meet current and future demand. You will work closely with product teams, technology leaders and stakeholders across the Ministry to improve how applications and services are developed, managed and supported. This includes setting clear standards, strengthening delivery practices, managing budgets and risks, and using data and insights to guide decisions. A key part of the role is creating an inclusive, supportive environment where people can grow and perform at their best. You will coach practitioners, support their professional development, attract and retain specialist capability, and adjust team resourcing as priorities change. This is an opportunity to shape a strong and sustainable applications practice while helping deliver secure, effective digital services that support excellent and equitable outcomes for ākonga and whānau across Aotearoa New Zealand.

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

We’re looking for an experienced people leader who can bring clarity, confidence and momentum to a complex digital environment. You’ll be comfortable working through ambiguity, balancing competing priorities and making pragmatic decisions when there isn’t always a perfect answer.

• Resilience and adaptability – you remain constructive and focused through change, uncertainty and competing demands.
• Comfort with ambiguity – you can navigate complexity, create clarity and move things forward without needing every detail resolved first.
• Strong people leadership – you build inclusive teams, develop capability and create an environment where people can do their best work.
• A coaching mindset – you support people to grow while being willing to challenge thinking and have honest, constructive conversations.
• Sound judgement and decisiveness – you can weigh evidence, risk and different perspectives and make practical decisions.
• A collaborative approach – you build trusted relationships and work across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes, reflecting the relationship-building focus of the role.
• A continuous-improvement mindset – you look for better ways of working and are prepared to challenge established approaches where change will improve outcomes.
• Strategic thinking with practical delivery – you can see the bigger picture while translating it into clear priorities, plans and actions.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn – you stay open to new ideas, technologies and ways of working and encourage the same in others.
• Clear communication – you can make complex issues understandable and engage effectively with technical specialists, leaders and stakeholders.
• A strong sense of ownership – you take responsibility for outcomes, follow through on commitments and help remove barriers that get in the team's way.
• Setting standards and guidelines – you will own the standards and guidelines for services within your Practice and ensure they are aligned with other standards and Practices.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

We’re a people-focused, future-thinking team that values collaboration, authenticity and continuous improvement. We support each other, challenge ourselves to do things better and have open, constructive conversations, even when they’re difficult. We’re serious about delivering great outcomes, but we don’t believe that means taking ourselves too seriously. In return, you’ll be part of a highly effective and collaborative team where your contribution is valued and your ideas are welcomed. You’ll have the support and space to grow, challenge yourself, learn from others and make a genuine difference.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Te Pou Kōrero brings together the Ministry’s digital and data capabilities to enable an education system that is connected, secure, and evidence‑driven. We provide the digital platforms, data assets, and analytical insight that support day‑to‑day service delivery, informed decision‑making, and system stewardship across the Ministry and the education sector. Our role is to ensure that technology and data work together: that information can safely follow the learner, digital services are reliable and accessible, and evidence is trusted and timely. We align with whole‑of‑government digital and data standards while keeping solutions practical and usable for schools, services, and Ministry staff.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role. For further information, please contact Cormac O’Reilly at [e-mail] Applications close: Midnight, Tuesday 3rd November 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.