Contract and License Specialist | Wellington
Date: 28 Sept 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Manage software contracts, renewals and license optimisation across a large, complex organisation
- Build visibility and control through proactive renewal pipelines, reporting and monitoring
- Work closely with vendors and internal teams to maximise value and ensure compliance
Play a key role in ensuring Technology gets the best value from its software investment.
About our team | Mō te tīma
Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.
Improvement Systems & Technology (IST) provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services, today and into the future.
We’re driving a once in a lifetime transformation of services for New Zealanders. IST is a key enabler of this change bringing together strategic thinkers, technology specialists and delivery leaders to design solutions and deliver change while keeping vital services running reliably every day.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
As a Contract and Licensing Specialist, you’ll be responsible for managing software contract and licensing information, supporting timely renewals, negotiating with suppliers, optimising usage and improving systems and processes that provide transparency, compliance and confidence across the organisation.
You’ll manage the collection, analysis and reporting of software information through portals and software asset management tools, with a strong focus on renewals, compliance and optimisation.
You’ll provide advice on licensing models, support audit activity, and work proactively with stakeholders to manage risk and end‑of‑life planning.
This is a permanent opportunity and is based in our Wellington National office.
Key responsibilities include:
- Collaborate with major vendors (e.g, Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Salesforce, Adobe) and internal teams to review contract terms, pricing, and renewal conditions.
- Manage the end‑to‑end software renewals process, including obtaining and interpreting quotes and working with technology vendors to ensure timely renewals
- Maintain an accurate, up-to-date inventory of all software assets, subscriptions, and cloud licenses using Software Asset Management (SAM) tools.
- Identify unused or underutilized licenses and recommend reallocations or cancellations to reduce unnecessary software spend.
- Assist with new software requests, evaluate licensing constructs (SaaS, tokens, user-based), and coordinate purchase orders or true-ups
- Cloud licensing and contracts (Cloud, SaaS and enterprise agreements eg Microsoft, Azure, AWS, Salesforce etc)
- Develop and actively manage a forward pipeline of software contract renewal dates with relevant stakeholders
- Monitor software usage against entitlements to prevent non-compliance. Prepare licensing reports and manage internal or external audits.
- Provide visibility of software versions reaching end of life and support migration or upgrade planning as required
- Partner with internal teams to align software purchases with company budgets and policies
We're committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team.
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
- Significant experience in a similar contract, licensing, software asset management or commercial support role, ideally within a large and complex organisation.
- Experience in software licensing tools (such as ServiceNow, Flexera or Snow) and cloud licensing and consumption structures and software portal management
- Strong understanding of complex volume licensing agreements, terms, and conditions from major enterprise software organisations, purchasing processes and financial systems
- Familiarity with Government purchasing rules and tender policies
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and organizational skills with high attention to detail
- Experience managing financial and commercial information and producing scheduled reports
- Proven relationship management skills with experience liaising with suppliers and internal stakeholders
- A genuine passion for delivering high quality, customer focussed outcomes
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
A copy of the position can be found here. Contract and License position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,846 - $125,998
A salary offer will be based on the preferred candidates’ skills and experience and our team relativities.
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Friday 9 October 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 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.
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. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.
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.
