Programme Manager

Department of Corrections NZ; Wellington; On-site; NZD 146,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Corrections NZ – Wellington Central, North Island is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead a large-scale transformation across a workforce of ~11,000 people. You will oversee a programme of interconnected projects, driving meaningful organisational change and ensuring governance and accountability.

You will work with a small, high-performing team, engaging senior stakeholders and navigating a complex environment to deliver results that place people at the centre of our

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large-scale transformation programmes.
• Expertise in programme and portfolio management, with track record managing multiple projects.
• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills with senior stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving in complex environments.
• Confident leading through change and maintaining momentum.

Responsibilities

• Lead a significant transformational programme across ~11,000 staff.
• Oversee interconnected projects and priorities to deliver organisational change.
• Engage senior stakeholders and guide governance for accountability.
• Shape and enable positive change at scale within a sensitive environment.

Skills

Transformation leadership

Programme & portfolio mgmt

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Change leadership

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Department of Corrections NZ – Wellington Central, North Island

• Lead a transformational programme across a workforce of 11,000+ people.
• Oversee strategic projects that deliver meaningful organisational change.
• Join a small, influential team shaping the future of our workforce.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As the Programme Manager within the People Programmes and Projects team you will lead a significant transformational programme across a large and diverse workforce of approximately 11,000 people. This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful organisational change, providing oversight of a programme of interconnected projects that collectively support better outcomes for our people and those under our care.

This role requires someone who can bring together people, priorities, and projects in a way that reflects our value of wairua, creating alignment and focus across a broad range of initiatives. Equally important is demonstrating rangatira through strong programme governance, stewardship, and helping the organisation remain accountable for delivering on its commitments.

Joining a small, high-performing team of specialists from a range of disciplines, you will play a key role in shaping and enabling positive change across the organisation. You will thrive in a complex environment, be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, and be passionate about delivering programmes that place people at the centre of what we do.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, collaborative and influential programme manager who is motivated by purpose, committed to continuous improvement, and eager to make a meaningful difference at scale.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Proven experience leading large-scale transformation programmes, delivering complex initiatives that create meaningful organisational impact.
• Expertise in programme and portfolio management, with a track record of successfully overseeing multiple interconnected projects and priorities.
• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capability, able to navigate complexity, make sense of ambiguity, and turn ideas into action.
• Confidence leading through change, bringing clarity, direction, and momentum in fast-paced and evolving environments.

The midpoint of the salary range is $171,226 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $145,543 - $205,472 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Applications close on: Sunday the 20th of September.