Senior ECE Academic Leader — Department Head

Up Education; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible location

Job summary

New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) invites applications for Head of Department – Early Childhood Education to lead ECE programmes and teaching teams. The role centres on curriculum, assessment and quality across NZTC’s ECE offerings, with strong emphasis on te ao Māori and te reo Māori.

You will work with sector partners to support student success and oversee continuous improvement, ensuring culturally responsive, contemporary education for tamariki, whānau and educators across Aotearoa.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in education, ECE or related discipline (master's level or above).
• Substantial experience in early childhood education and teacher education.
• Experience leading tertiary academic teams, curriculum development, assessment and academic quality.
• Understanding of Te Whāriki, NZQA requirements and teacher registration pathways.
• Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and bicultural practice, Māori educational success and culturally responsive teaching.
• Ability to build meaningful relationships across the diverse ECE sector.
• Collaborative leadership style and commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Teacher registration and practising certificate advantageous.
• Commitment to strengthening bicultural education and Te reo Māori journey.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic leadership across NZTC's ECE programmes including ITE.
• Lead and develop academic teams and strengthen teaching and assessment quality.
• Ensure programmes are contemporary, inclusive and connected to sector needs.
• Embed bicultural practice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in teaching and learning.
• Shape programme design to reflect Te Whāriki and professional requirements.
• Foster sector connections with ECE employers, communities and professional bodies.
• Use learner feedback and data to continually improve educational quality.

Skills

Academic leadership

Curriculum development

Assessment quality

Education

Master's-level qualification in education or ECE

Postgraduate qualification in education or related discipline

Job description

New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) invites applications for Head of Department – Early Childhood Education to lead ECE programmes and teaching teams. The role centres on curriculum, assessment and quality across NZTC’s ECE offerings, with strong emphasis on te ao Māori and te reo Māori.

You will work with sector partners to support student success and oversee continuous improvement, ensuring culturally responsive, contemporary education for tamariki, whānau and educators across Aotearoa.