Change Implementation Manager | Wellington | 18 month fixed term
Date: 25 Mar 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Drive meaningful change across the Socrates Enhancement programme
- Lead cross-functional teams to embed new ways of working
- Wellington-based role with national reach
Join a team that is dedicated to making a shift and strengthening disability supports for disabled people and their whānau.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whānau.
We’re building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively.
We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we’re committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.
It’s an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities.
We’re looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
As Change Implementation Manager, you’ll lead the design and delivery of change management strategies for Socrates Enhancement Programme.
Socrates is a business-critical system that ensures effective national delivery of services (via our providers) to disabled people and their whānau.
We will be re-architecting and enhancing Socrates which will directly support DSS by strengthening service consistency, improving data quality and transparency, reducing administrative burden, meeting appropriate digital security standards, enabling equitable national decision-making, and supporting the Minister’s objective of a sustainable, fair and nationally consistent disability support system.
You’ll work across the system user base to ensure new practices are embedded and benefits realised.
This is an 18 month fixed term role based in Wellington.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and deliver change management plans for Socrates Enhancement Programme including Stakeholder engagement, and the Communication plan.
- Apply structured methodologies and analytical tools to support adoption
- Lead change workstreams to deliver on time and within budget
- Support smaller projects to integrate change activities
- Coordinate change communications and training with internal and external teams
- Conduct impact analyses and assess change readiness
- Identify risks and resistance points, and develop mitigation strategies
- Create actionable deliverables across five change levers: communications, sponsorship, coaching, training, and resistance management
We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whānau, or the disability community.
Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
- Proven experience in leading change management for complex projects
- Strong understanding of change methodologies and tools
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence outcomes
- Strategic thinking with a practical delivery mindset
- Experience in risk assessment and mitigation planning
- Confidence in managing resistance and supporting adoption
- Collaborative approach and ability to work across diverse teams
- Familiarity with public sector or social services environments (preferred)
- A commitment to inclusive and people-centred change
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Change Implementation Manager position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,815.00 - $125,958.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Tuesday 7th April 2026.
About us | Mō mātou:
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono:
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment.
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 us at jobs@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.
Joining us | Ko te hono mai:
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. You can find out more about our values here.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
