Change Management Principal Advisor, Wellington
Date: 24 Oct 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
Change Management Principal Advisor, MSD – services for the future
About us | Mō mātou
The Ministry of Social Development 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.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
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.
Join MSD’s flagship transformation programme, MSD – services for the future, and help shape how we deliver services to New Zealanders for the next 30 years.
MSD – services for the future is about MSD’s future role and how we can make a bigger and better difference for New Zealanders. It will help us achieve the shifts we want to make to achieve our strategic goal, Te Pae Tawhiti.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
- Permanent role
- Based at National Office in Wellington
You’ll join a passionate, future-focused team at the heart of MSD’s once-in-a-generation transformation. We work collaboratively across the organisation, supporting each other to deliver innovative, people-centred change that will benefit New Zealanders for decades to come.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
As Change Management Principal Advisor, you will lead a pillar of activity within MSD’s transformation programme. You’ll drive the planning, development, and implementation of change strategies that ensure the success of our transformation and its deliverables.
You’ll be a versatile and experienced change practitioner, bringing both theoretical knowledge, practical, on-the-ground experience and a pragmatic approach to delivery that is centred on a commitment to people’s experience of change.
You’ll provide strategic breadth and operational support, making connections, navigating ambiguity, and proactively identifying opportunities for collaboration and improvement across MSD’s diverse service portfolios. You’ll work alongside Service Delivery and our technology delivery teams, to ensure that people, process and technology come together to deliver effective change for the people MSD support, and the staff that support them.
You’ll be great at joining the dots and seeing how change connects, not just across the programme but also in the context of the organisation.
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger: shaping the future of social services in Aotearoa and making a real difference for our communities.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
• Significant experience designing and managing enterprise and/or organisational change, ideally in large-scale transformation programmes
• Proven ability to lead, influence, and inspire others, with both strategic vision and operational know-how
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills, with experience providing strategic advice to senior leaders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to present a coherent picture and clear options
• Experience developing and leading critical areas of change work coupled with resilience and perspective to help others navigate challenges and uncertainty when they arise
• A collaborative, inclusive approach that reflects MSD’s values and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership
• Commitment to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi, and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations
What’s in it for you | Nōu te rourou
• Be at the heart of MSD’s flagship transformation programme, helping to set up MSD for the next 30 years
• Work in a supportive, inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and encourages everyone to thrive
• Collaborate with senior leaders and teams across MSD, making a tangible impact on the lives of New Zealanders
Help shape the future, lead the change, be the spark that helps MSD deliver services for generations to come.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00
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 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.
Closing date: 2 October 2025
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. 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.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
