Team Lead Internal Applications

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is seeking a Team Lead Internal Applications to steer the platforms behind our operations, including ServiceNow, and to translate complex requirements into reliable, scalable solutions.

You’ll lead a high-performing team of developers and system administrators, partner with stakeholders and Māori, and champion secure, fit-for-purpose enterprise platforms across DOC.

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 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.

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

Leadership experience

ServiceNow administration

DevOps practices

Stakeholder management

Team development

Information security

Tools

ServiceNow

Job description

Lead the platforms behind the scenes that keep DOC moving, turning complexity into capability and making ServiceNow work smarter, not harder$110,033.00 - $145,000.00Permanent full time, Wellington location 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.

The position will be focussed on:

• 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.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• We are keen to hear from you, if you have;
• 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.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | 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.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.

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.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

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

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Emily Blokker, Senior Recruitment Advisor [e-mail] .