Strategic Director, Sector Enablement & Assurance

New Zealand Qualifications Authority; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Qualifications Authority seeks a senior leader to head sector enablement and assurance within the Assessment Division. The role drives strategic quality assurance, school support, and qualifications stewardship, aligning sector activity with learner pathways and system priorities.

You will lead through senior managers, shape risk settings, and foster sector partnerships with government, schools, tertiary bodies, and industry groups to strengthen confidence in NZQA's assessment system.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in complex education, public sector, regulatory or service delivery environments.
• Proven ability to lead through others and build high-performing teams.
• Experience shaping strategy and delivering outcomes across multi-disciplinary groups.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, regulatory practice, risk management, and oversight functions.
• Experience guiding sector-facing guidance, engagement, and implementation activities.
• Understanding of qualifications, learner pathways, and education policy within NZ context.
• Strong relationships with senior stakeholders and credible communication in sensitive settings.
• Sound judgement using sector insights and performance information to inform decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for sector enablement and assurance across the Assessment Division.
• Lead and develop leaders across sector enablement, school quality assurance, and qualifications.
• Oversee assurance frameworks, risk settings, and regulatory compliance aligned with NZQA rules.
• Guide sector enablement approaches to engage schools, kura, providers and stakeholders.
• Oversee qualifications governance, learner pathways, and equity considerations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Quality assurance

Risk management

People leadership

Regulatory / policy knowledge

Te Tiriti o Waitangi understanding

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Job description

New Zealand Qualifications Authority seeks a senior leader to head sector enablement and assurance within the Assessment Division. The role drives strategic quality assurance, school support, and qualifications stewardship, aligning sector activity with learner pathways and system priorities.

You will lead through senior managers, shape risk settings, and foster sector partnerships with government, schools, tertiary bodies, and industry groups to strengthen confidence in NZQA's assessment system.