Director, Office of the Deputy Chief Executive Transformation
Date: 28 May 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About us
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.
Director, Office of the Deputy Chief Executive Transformation
• 12 months fixed term (cover for parental leave)
• Wellington based
About the Transformation Group
The Transformation Group is responsible for delivering MSD’s Transformation, MSD – services for the future programme, MSD’s integrated work programme, value management, programme assurance and MSD’s improvement, systems and technology capability.
MSD – services for the future programme is a large, multi-year programme to transform MSD’s service model to deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders. The programme will result in significant organisational change for MSD’s people, process, information, and technology.
Achieving our MSD – services for the future vision will be a long-term journey for MSD. This is a once in a generation change to the way MSD delivers services to New Zealanders, it’s our opportunity to set up MSD for the next 30 years.
The programme will be a major undertaking, delivering significant benefits to over a million New Zealanders who access MSD support and services. This is an unrivalled opportunity to be involved in MSD’s journey.
Mō te tūnga / About the Role
Are you a strategic leader with a proven ability to navigate complexity, build strong relationships, and provide exceptional executive support?
Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your judgement, influence, and leadership help shape meaningful transformation across Aotearoa New Zealand?
We are seeking an experienced and influential leader to join the Transformation Leadership Team (LT) as Director, Office of the Deputy Chief Executive (DCE) Transformation.
This is a pivotal role based in Wellington, providing critical executive and strategic support to the DCE Transformation and, by extension, the broader Transformation group.
As the Director, you will:
• Advocate for the Transformation group’s priorities through strategic, credible engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide high-level advice, executive coordination, and strategic oversight to support the DCE’s priorities and workflow.
• Lead and oversee responses to high-risk, time-sensitive issues characterised by complexity, risk, and shared responsibility—ensuring these are progressed to resolution with risk mitigated.
• Contribute to and deliver on group strategy as a key member of the Transformation LT.
• Manage and lead strategic communication, media presence, and the group’s approach to risk and issues management.
• Ensure the office functions as an engine for proactive, effective, and connected delivery across the Transformation group.
Ōu pūmanawatanga / What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone with:
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent senior operational experience.
• A proven track record of senior leadership in complex, cross-sector environments.
• Extensive experience managing high-trust stakeholder relationships.
• Strong people leadership skills, including leading specialist teams and lifting capability.
• Significant experience in risk and issue management and a solid understanding of public sector governance and accountability.
• Demonstrated success delivering strategy, change, and business improvement in dynamic settings.
• Deep understanding of public sector machinery, including the role and responsibilities of public servants.
• Project and change management experience across complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• (Preferred) Experience in media, communications, and external risk management.
• An appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity principles, with experience embedding these in practice.
The Ministry of Social Development is committed to improving outcomes for all New Zealanders. This is your opportunity to play a vital leadership role in a group driving transformational change across one of the country’s largest government agencies.
Apply today and lead with purpose.
Position Description
Salary range: $198,140.00 - $262,278.00
How to apply
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: 11 June 2025
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.
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.
