Director Contracts and Funding | Wellington | Permanent
Date: 16 Apr 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Executive leadership role influencing system-wide commissioning and funding practice
- Permanent Wellington based role
- Build strong, trusted partnerships with providers and senior stakeholders across the sector
Lead the strategic direction of the contracts and funding team within Commissioning & Funding Group, Disability Support Services, Ministry of Social Development. Manage senior provider relationships at a national level, shaping how commissioning and funding delivers value, manages risk, and achieves positive outcomes for disabled people.
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 the Director Contracts and Funding, you’ll provide strategic leadership for contract management, funding and senior provider relationship functions across all regions, ensuring contracts and provider engagements consistently deliver value and support organisational objectives.
Reporting to the General Manager Commissioning & Funding, the role is based at the National Office in Wellington and is a key leadership position within the DSS Commissioning & Funding team.
Key responsibilities include:
- Set the overall strategy and direction for contract management and senior provider relationships, ensuring alignment with organisational goals, sector standards, and regulatory requirements
- Lead, coach and develop regional contract management teams, promoting consistency, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement
- Oversee the implementation and monitoring of contract management frameworks, including contract development, execution, performance monitoring and renewal and funding
- Manage high-level provider relationships, acting as the primary escalation point for complex or sensitive issues
- Monitor and report on contract performance, risks and opportunities, providing strategic advice to the General Manager and executive leadership
- Lead stakeholder engagement with providers and internal leaders, representing the organisation in key forums and negotiations
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:
- Deep expertise in commissioning, funding, contract management, including negotiation, execution and monitoring of complex service agreements
- Extensive experience in effective provider relationship management, performance management and dispute resolution
- Proven senior leadership experience, including leading geographically dispersed teams
- Strong strategic leadership capability in contract management and funding analysis
- Demonstrated experience identifying, managing and reporting on risk in complex contract environments
- Sound understanding of disability issues and the ability to build credibility and trust with the disability sector
- Strong knowledge of equity issues and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and experience working in partnership to improve outcomes
- Highly developed negotiation, stakeholder management and communication skills, including engagement at executive and board level
- Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate complex information into actionable insights
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Director Contracts and Funding position Description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $161,811.00 - $214,131.00
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: Thursday 14 May 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.
