Workforce Planner

Oranga Tamariki; Wellington; On-site; NZD 106,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vibrant team

Flexible work options

Wellbeing

Training & development

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children is recruiting for experienced workforce planning professionals to join a newly established central Workforce Planning Hub. Based in Auckland or Wellington, you will support multiple residential sites across New Zealand, delivering forecasting, rostering optimization and workforce analytics to guide frontline leaders.

You will work in a high‑risk, 24/7 environment, partnering with operational leaders to identify staffing needs, turn data into insights and

Qualifications

• Proven experience in workforce planning capability, resource planning, rostering, and workforce reporting.
• Experience supporting large operational workforces of 250+ employees in a similar 24/7 custodial care environment.
• Strong planning, forecasting and scheduling capability.
• Advanced spreadsheet and reporting skills, particularly Excel.
• Experience using workforce management or rostering systems.
• Strong analytical thinking and the ability to turn workforce data into actionable insights.
• The ability to work effectively in complex, high-demand operational environments.
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples’ culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce forecasting, rostering, reporting and analytics across complex 24/7 residential and youth justice environments.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify staffing needs and navigate capacity challenges.
• Turn workforce data into actionable insights to support informed decision-making.
• Ensure safety, compliance and service outcomes through effective workforce planning.
• Develop and maintain strong stakeholder engagement and change management across sites across New Zealand.

Skills

Workforce planning

Rostering

Forecasting

Analytics

Cross-cultural awareness

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Excel

Workforce management systems

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• Be part of a newly established central workforce planning function
• Influence workforce outcomes across critical services that support young people
• Auckland | Wellington Permanent & Fixed-Term Opportunities Available

Join a newly established Workforce Planning Hub and play a critical role in providing national workforce planning capability, improving workforce visibility, establishing consistent rostering practice and giving our frontline leaders in our Youth Justice and Care & Protection residences better information for workforce decisions. This is an opportunity for experienced workforce planning professionals who thrive in complex, fast-paced operational environments and enjoy balancing strategic forecasting with real-time workforce coordination.

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Based in Auckland or Wellington, you'll support multiple residential sites across New Zealand, each employing around 250 staff. Working as part of a newly established central workforce planning hub, you'll play a key role in delivering efficient, sustainable workforce solutions that support safe and effective service delivery.

This role operates in a high-risk service delivery context, directly influencing safety, compliance and care outcomes. You'll lead workforce forecasting, rostering optimisation, reporting, and workforce analytics across complex 24/7 residential and youth justice environments. Partnering closely with operational leaders, you'll proactively identify workforce needs, navigate staffing challenges and provide data-driven insights that support informed decision-making.

This is an opportunity to combine workforce planning expertise, forecasting capability, stakeholder engagement and analytical thinking to influence operational outcomes and drive workforce excellence across multiple locations.

You will be a highly developed stakeholder engagement and relationship management specialist with excellent communication skills and a background with change management.

Key requirements of the role include:

• Proven experience in workforce planning capability, resource planning, rostering, and workforce reporting
• Experience supporting large operational workforces of 250+ employees in a similar 24/7 custodial care environment
• Strong planning, forecasting and scheduling capability
• Advanced spreadsheet and reporting skills, particularly Excel
• Experience using workforce management or rostering systems
• Strong analytical thinking and the ability to turn workforce data into actionable insights
• The ability to work effectively in complex, high-demand operational environments
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples’ culture

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offers a step-based remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $106,416 and $117,782 dependent on experience.

• We also offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing.
• We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow.
• We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Applications for this role close at midnight on Thursday 24th September 2026

We may begin reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview prior to the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.