Team Lead Internal Applications

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Wellington; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) leads the platforms that keep our internal applications reliable, secure, and user-focused. As Team Lead Internal Applications, you will guide the team of developers and system administrators responsible for platforms like ServiceNow and related enterprise systems, ensuring they align with DOC's architecture and security standards.

You'll partner with business leaders, architects, vendors, and Māori to deliver solutions that meet evolving needs,

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading application development, platform engineering, or systems administration teams.
• Strong expertise in ServiceNow administration, configuration, development, or a comparable enterprise SaaS platform.
• A strategic mindset balancing business needs, technical sustainability, risk, and value for money.
• Experience delivering modern application services using DevOps, change management, release management, and integration practices.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders across technical and non-technical environments.
• Passion for developing people, building capability, and creating inclusive, high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of information security, architecture, governance, and enterprise application best practice.
• Appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and commitment to working effectively with Māori and diverse perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development, configuration, support, and continuous improvement of DOC's internal applications, including ServiceNow and related enterprise platforms.
• Driving platform strategy and roadmaps, prioritising enhancements, integrations, upgrades, and service improvements that deliver business value.
• Building and leading a high-performing team of developers and system administrators, fostering growth, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Ensuring applications are secure, reliable, well-governed, and aligned to DOC's architecture, information management, and security standards.
• Partnering with stakeholders, vendors, and Māori to deliver solutions that meet evolving organisational needs and improve the employee experience.

Skills

Team leadership

ServiceNow

Platform engineering

DevOps practices

Stakeholder management

People development

Information security

Governance

Te Tiriti awareness

Job description

Lead the platforms behind the scenes that keep DOC moving

Salary: $110,033.00 - $145,000.00

Contract: Permanent full time

Location: Wellington (preferred) – open to Auckland

Our vision

Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role

Great conservation outcomes need great technology... and great technology needs someone who knows when to configure, when to innovate, and when to stop people building yet another spreadsheet. As Team Lead Internal Applications, you'll lead the team of developers and system administrators responsible for the platforms that help DOC operate every day. You'll work closely with business leaders, architects, vendors, delivery teams, and partners across the organisation to ensure our internal applications are reliable, secure, user-focused, and fit for the future. From leading our ServiceNow capability to guiding platform strategy and building in-house expertise, you'll champion a pragmatic approach to technology, helping us configure and optimise off-the-shelf solutions where they make sense for our people, rather than reinventing the wheel.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the development, configuration, support, and continuous improvement of DOC's internal applications, including ServiceNow and related enterprise platforms.
• Driving platform strategy and roadmaps, prioritising enhancements, integrations, upgrades, and service improvements that deliver business value.
• Building and leading a high-performing team of developers and system administrators, fostering growth, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Ensuring applications are secure, reliable, well-governed, and aligned to DOC's architecture, information management, and security standards.
• Partnering with stakeholders, vendors, and Māori to deliver solutions that meet evolving organisational needs and improve the employee experience.

Skills and experience

• Proven experience leading application development, platform engineering, or systems administration teams.
• Strong expertise in ServiceNow administration, configuration, development, or a comparable enterprise SaaS platform.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to balance business needs, technical sustainability, risk, and value for money.
• Experience delivering modern application services using DevOps, change management, release management, and integration practices.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders across technical and non-technical environments.
• A passion for developing people, building capability, and creating inclusive, high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of information security, architecture, governance, and enterprise application best practice.
• An appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and a commitment to working effectively with Māori and diverse perspectives.

What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Salary: $110,033.00 - $145,00.00 , depending on skills and experience., depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility

You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Application deadline

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, 1 October 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly.

For further enquiries, please contact Emily Blokker, Senior Recruitment Advisor [e-mail]

About DOC

The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles. Read more about DOC.