Regional Director | Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland
Date: 15 Jan 2026
Location: Auckland, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
Regional Director | Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland
- Auckland South | Auckland North & West
- Ministry of Social Development
- Permanent, full-time
Senior operational and people leadership
Lead complex, high-impact service delivery across Auckland
The opportunity | Te whai wāhitanga
We are seeking two experienced and values-led leaders to join the Ministry of Social Development as Regional Directors within the Auckland region — one role based in Auckland South, and one in Auckland North & West.
These roles sit at the heart of frontline service delivery and play a critical role in improving outcomes for individuals, whānau, and communities across Auckland. Operating within MSD’s largest and most complex region, Regional Directors lead at scale in environments that are fast-paced, diverse, and highly visible.
The roles operate as part of the One Auckland leadership team, where Regional Directors work collectively to ensure consistency, shared accountability, and strong performance across the region, while retaining clear ownership of their regional portfolios.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
As a Regional Director, you will provide senior strategic and operational leadership across a network of Service Centres and multidisciplinary teams spanning urban and semi-rural communities. You will be accountable for performance, people leadership, service quality, and the effective implementation of national and regional priorities.
You will lead in environments characterised by:
• high and varied client demand
• large, distributed workforces
• geographic breadth and service accessibility challenges
• complex stakeholder, partnership, and system interfaces
Success in this role requires the ability to adapt leadership approaches to local context while maintaining consistent standards of performance, integrity, and care across Auckland.
What you’ll be doing | He aha tāu e mahi ana
Reporting to the Regional Commissioner, you will:
• Lead large, distributed teams across multiple service sites
• Drive strong operational performance, service quality, and equitable outcomes at scale
• Create inclusive, safe, and high-performing workplaces
• Coach, develop, and build leadership capability and succession
• Translate the Ministry’s purpose, strategies, and mechanisms into effective regional delivery
• Partner effectively with iwi Māori, community organisations, employers, and other agencies
• Influence and collaborate with senior leaders across Auckland and nationally to deliver shared priorities
• Balance national direction with regional priorities and pressures
• Embed continuous improvement, sound judgement, and delivery discipline in complex environments
We’re looking for someone who brings
You will be a seasoned senior leader with experience operating at scale and under pressure. You will demonstrate:
• Proven senior leadership across complex, multi-site operations
• A strong track record of delivering through others, lifting capability, and leading change
• Sound judgement and confident decision-making in high-demand environments
• A strong understanding of public service accountability, operating context, and statutory obligations
• Demonstrated capability in strategic planning, operational leadership, and performance oversight
• Deep experience building effective partnerships with iwi Māori, Pacific organisations, and diverse communities
• Proven ability to build credibility and influence with senior leaders, partners, and stakeholders across complex and politically sensitive environments
• The ability to work collectively with other Regional Directors across Auckland and nationally, contributing to shared priorities, system leadership, and consistent performance
• Clear, confident communication and the ability to align decisions with policy, organisational direction, and purpose
What we offer
• The opportunity to join a collaborative and high-performing senior leadership team
• Competitive remuneration, supported by ongoing leadership and professional development
• A role with genuine scope to influence outcomes and make a meaningful impact across the Auckland region
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
View the Position Description here or copy and paste the link into your browser here: http://www.msd.govt.nz/hr/documents/position-descriptions/dce-service-delivery/client-service-delivery/regional-director-client-service-delivery.docx
Our mahi is underpinned by:
• Mana manaaki – delivering a positive experience every time
• Kotahitanga – partnering for greater impact
• Kia takatū tātou – championing long-term social and economic wellbeing
Key Business Information
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $161,811.00 - $214,131.00
How to Apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact Executive Assistant to Regional Commissioner, Tracey Crawford on Tracey.Crawford004@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Closing date: 11.59 pm Monday 2 February 2026
Joining us
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. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
