Remuneration Lead

Ministry of Education; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Ministry of Education in Wellington seeks an experienced Remuneration Lead to design, develop and implement the remuneration and reward framework for the public education sector. You will drive market-informed decisions, ensure fairness and alignment with strategy, and provide expert guidance to senior leaders and HR partners.

You will lead analytics, benchmarking and job evaluation programs, while coaching teams and building capability across the organisation to sustain equitable remuneration

Qualifications

• Significant experience in remuneration, reward strategy and workforce analytics.
• Proven expertise in remuneration benchmarking, job evaluation and market analysis.
• Experience designing and implementing remuneration and reward frameworks and systems.
• Strong knowledge of performance management and reward practices.
• Experience using recognised job evaluation methodologies, preferably Korn Ferry Hay.
• Practical understanding of employment relations and industrial relations within the public sector.
• Experience working in large, complex organisations and influencing a range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of remuneration strategies, frameworks and policies.
• Provide expert remuneration, reward and job evaluation advice to business leaders and HR colleagues.
• Design, implement and manage remuneration systems and frameworks that support organisational goals.
• Deliver robust job evaluation processes with accurate position data.
• Monitor remuneration market trends, benchmarking and emerging reward practices.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations on remuneration matters to senior leaders.

Skills

Remuneration strategy

Job evaluation

Market benchmarking

Analytics & reporting

Stakeholder influence

Leadership coaching

Public sector employment relations

Tools

Korn Ferry Hay

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand Permanent, full-time hours, Wellington based

Help shape how we attract, reward and retain talent across Aotearoa

Help shape the future of EducationWe work toshapeaneducationsystem that deliversequitableandexcellent 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 the Remuneration Lead, you will lead the design, development, maintenance and implementation of the Ministry's remuneration and reward strategy, frameworks and policies.

You will work closely with senior leaders and HR colleagues to ensure remuneration practices are fair, transparent, market-informed and aligned with organisational objectives.

You will bring expert knowledge and thought leadership across remuneration, rewards, job evaluation, performance management and strategic position management, helping the Ministry make evidence-based decisions that support our people and our future workforce.

On a day-to-day basis you can expect to:

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of remuneration and reward strategies, frameworks and policies
• Provide expert remuneration, reward and job evaluation advice to business leaders and HR colleagues
• Design, implement and manage remuneration systems and frameworks that support organisational goals
• Deliver robust job evaluation processes, including maintaining accurate and reliable position data
• Monitor remuneration market trends, benchmarking and emerging reward practices
• Partner with senior leaders to provide strategic insights and recommendations on remuneration matters
• Support remuneration review and performance management processes, ensuring effective alignment between systems
• Develop remuneration analytics and reporting that inform organisational decision‑making
• Contribute to bargaining strategies and collective negotiation planning through data analysis, market intelligence, and problem‑solving approaches
• Identify risks, recommend solutions and ensure equitable and consistent remuneration practices across the Ministry
• Build capability in others through coaching, mentoring and sharing specialist knowledge

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced remuneration professional to lead the development of remuneration and reward frameworks, provide expert advice to senior leaders, and use data‑driven insights to influence strategic workforce decisions across the Ministry.

Salary range: $120,171 - $145.560 per annumplus 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

As our Remuneration Lead, you will play a critical role in ensuring our remuneration and reward strategies support organisational performance, workforce sustainability, and a high‑performing culture.

You are a strategic thinker who enjoys working with complexity and using evidence to guide decision‑making. You balance big‑picture thinking with attention to detail and are confident engaging with senior leaders on sensitive and complex remuneration matters.

You bring credibility, curiosity and sound judgement, along with a commitment to creating fair, sustainable and future‑focused remuneration practices.

To be successful in this role, you'll have:

• Significant experience in remuneration, reward strategy and workforce analytics
• Proven expertise in remuneration benchmarking, job evaluation and market analysis
• Experience designing and implementing remuneration and reward frameworks and systems
• Strong knowledge of performance management and reward practices
• Experience using recognised job evaluation methodologies, preferably Korn Ferry Hay
• A practical understanding of employment relations and industrial relations within the public sector
• Experience working in large, complex organisations and influencing a range of stakeholders
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to translate data into meaningful business insights
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including preparing reports and recommendations for senior leaders
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and achieve outcomes through collaboration and influence
• A track record of coaching, mentoring and developing capability in others
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

At Te Tāhuhu ote Mātauranga, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that supports better outcomes for learners across New Zealand.

We operate in a collaborative and values‑driven environment where your expertise will directly influence organisational capability, culture and performance.

Are you ready to make a difference?

For further information, please contact Bronwyn Kingdom, Acting Chief People Officer at: [e-mail]

Applications close at 11.59pm on Thursday, 05 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.