Senior Contracts Relationship Management Specialist

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded life cover

Critical illness protection

Discounted insurances

Free will services and savings schemes

Financial guidance and mortgage broker

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force is seeking two Senior Contracts Relationship Management Specialists to manage ICT supplier relationships, renewals, and performance reporting. You will shape service specifications, maintain KPIs and SLAs, and support governance forums with clear insights for decision making.

The role involves building cross-team relationships, collaborating with stakeholders, and maturing CRM practices within Information Command. Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Broad ICT services understanding and quick learning ability.
• Proven experience managing ICT supplier relationships and resolving issues, risks and opportunities.
• Experience with contract renewals, re-negotiations, variations and performance reviews.
• Ability to develop and maintain SLAs, KPIs, service specifications and structured reporting.
• Familiarity with Government Procurement Rules and public-sector commercial practices.
• Strong communication skills for reporting and governance forums or boards.
• Ability to analyse supplier performance data and provide insights.
• Ideally experience coaching or mentoring junior team members.
• Solid organisational awareness in multifaceted environments.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships across NZDF teams to align priorities and resolve issues.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure contracts remain fit-for-purpose.
• Support early identification and escalation of risks, issues and potential disputes.
• Use supplier insights and data to inform planning, decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Coach junior team members and contribute to maturing CRM practices across Information Command.

Skills

ICT supplier relationships

Contract management

Contract renewals & negotiations

SLAs & KPIs development

Governance reporting

Data analysis & reporting

Mentoring junior staff

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Join more than 15,000 New Zealanders working for the NZ Defence Force and directly contribute to the defence, security and well‑being of Aotearoa New Zealand.We are looking for two Senior Contracts Relationship Management Specialists to play a key role in how NZDF manages its ICT suppliers, helping ensure expectations are clear, delivery stays on track, and commercial value is well defined and understood.You'll take ownership of contract renewals, variations, performance reviews and commercial planning activities. You'll help shape service specifications, maintain KPIs and SLAs, and ensure performance information is well tracked and reported. You'll also support governance forums, preparing insights and updates that enable strong decision making.

This will include:

• Building relationships across NZDF teams to align priorities and resolve issues
• Collaborating with key internal stakeholders to ensure contracts remain fit‑for‑purpose
• Supporting early identification and escalation of risks, issues and potential disputes
• Using supplier insights and data to inform planning, decision‑making and continuous improvement
• Coaching junior team members and contributing to maturing CRM practices across Information Command

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

You’ll bring experience in ICT commercial environments, sound judgement, and the ability to work across many moving parts. You'll learn quickly, build strong relationships, and bring structure and clarity to how contracts and suppliers are managed.

You will bring:

• A broad understanding of ICT services and the ability to learn quickly
• Proven experience managing ICT supplier relationships, including acting as a key contact for resolving issues, risks and opportunities
• Experience with contract renewals, re‑negotiations, variations and performance reviews
• Ability to develop and maintain SLAs, KPIs, service specifications and structured reporting
• Familiarity with Government Procurement Rules and public‑sector commercial practices
• Strong communication skills, with confidence preparing reporting and supporting governance forums or boards
• Ability to analyse supplier performance data and provide clear insights
• Ideally experience coaching or mentoring junior team members
• Solid organisational awareness, with confidence navigating multifaceted environments
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience

Applications may be reviewed upon receipt. It is advised to apply early to avoid disappointment, as this role may close ahead of time due to a high volume of applicants.

No candidate is expected to meet every desired skill / experience listed. If your background differs from what we've outlined but you believe you can contribute to the role, we encourage you to apply.

This role requires occasional travel, you will need to have a Class 1 Full Driver's Licence.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning - safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

• fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection
• discounted additional insurances
• free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community
• expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all - irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics - NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.

To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here's what you need to know: Higher Level Security Clearance You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa. At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last ten (10) years. You must have a ten (10) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level. If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.