Senior Workplace Specialist | Wellington

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 104,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development in Wellington seeks a Senior Workplace Specialist to shape workplace environments that enable our people to do their best work. You will advise on planning, design, property and facilities across MSD's national property portfolio and partner with senior leaders and government colleagues.

You will apply data and insights to solve complex workplace challenges, support informed decision-making, and contribute to projects that enhance collaboration, wellbeing,

Qualifications

• Proven experience in workplace strategy, planning, property management or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of contemporary workplace practices, including planning, occupancy management, space utilisation and flexible ways of working.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering workplace transformation projects and accommodation optimisation initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, turning data into practical recommendations.
• Proven stakeholder and relationship management skills with the ability to influence across audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist workplace advice across planning, design, property and facilities.
• Collaborate with senior leaders, MSD colleagues, government agencies and industry partners.
• Use data and insights to solve complex workplace challenges and inform decision-making.

Skills

Workplace strategy

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Project delivery

Communication

Job description

Shape future-focused workplace solutions across MSD

• Use your workplace, property and facilities expertise to influence how MSD uses their national property portfolio
• Wellington based, with occasional national travel

About our team | Mō te tīma

The Workplace Services team manages a large, geographically spread, national property portfolio (primarily leased). Around 120 sites support the delivery of Work and Income's public facing services throughout New Zealand. Our Workplace Services team supports the development and management of workplace environments that enable our people to do their best work. Working across MSD, the team provides specialist advice and delivers workplace solutions that respond to user needs, support organisational priorities and make effective use of our workspaces.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As a Senior Workplace Specialist, you will help shape workplace environments that enable our people to do their best work and support MSD's organisational priorities. You will provide specialist workplace advice and practical solutions across workplace planning, design, property and facilities, working with senior leaders, colleagues across MSD, government agencies and industry partners. Using your workplace expertise, data and insights, you will help solve complex workplace challenges, support informed decision-making and contribute to projects and change initiatives that strengthen how our workplaces operate now and into the future. This is an opportunity to influence how our people work by developing workplace solutions that enhance collaboration, wellbeing, productivity and flexibility.

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga

• Proven experience in workplace strategy, planning, property management or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of contemporary workplace practices, including workplace planning, occupancy management, space utilisation, workplace analytics and flexible ways of working.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering workplace transformation projects and accommodation optimisation initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data and complex information into practical recommendations.
• Proven stakeholder and relationship management skills, with the ability to collaborate and influence across a range of audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to provide clear, credible and evidence-based advice.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and commitment to embedding Te Ao Māori into the way you work.

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Workplace Specialist, position description

Salary | Utu-ā-tau : $103,815.00 - $125,958.00

Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te : 11.59pm, Sunday 15 November 2026

About us | Mō mātou

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent. We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities. As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations. Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Joining us | Ko te hono mai

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here. If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.