Lead Enterprise Architect | Wellington

Date: 19 Aug 2026

Location: Wellington, NZ

Company: Ministry of Social Development

  • Strategic architecture leadership with national impact. 
  • Practices Enterprise Architecture not direct people management.
  • Champion business outcomes that align strategic intent with technology roadmaps. 
  • Permanent or Fixed Term Roles available. 

 

Lead strategic architecture across MSD’s Technology Services to drive progress across MSD’s technology roadmaps. This role will help bridge our business and technology strategies, with our organisational Transformation Programme, MSD -services for the Future. 

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. 

 

Information 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.

 

The Architecture practice is responsible for delivering architecture, strategy, and governance to the Technology Group and beyond. We have teams of Enterprise, Domain and Solutions Architects and a vibrant Community of Practice. We’ll support your growth and development as an architect, while keeping you busy with interesting and important work that supports our mission of keeping New Zealanders safe, strong and independent.  

About the role | Mō te tūnga:

 

Reporting to the Chief Architect, you’ll shape future-state architectures within the Technology Group, ensuring architectural coherence across platform and delivery teams, with a specific lens of supporting business strategy and enhanced client experience.  You’ll work as part of a team supporting Platform Management, Client Management, Security and Infrastructure Services.  

 

You’ll sit on the Technology Architecture Committee (TAC) and hold significant technical decision-making delegation, which you’ll use to ensure our work aligns with both our strategies and business goals. 

 

As a Lead Enterprise Architect, you’ll provide strategic and pragmatic architecture leadership across the key domains, with a focus on business engagement and relationship building with senior business stakeholders. 

 

This role goes beyond traditional enterprise architecture, it is deeply embedded in the delivery space, geared toward generating action and enabling teams to achieve their goals while aligning broader technology and business strategies. With no people management, this role requires you to practice Enterprise Architecture as a team player. 

 

We have permanent and fixed term opportunities available. These roles are based in our Wellington National Office.  

 

Key responsibilities include: 

 

  • Build and manage strategic stakeholder relationships, with the goal of translating strategic intent into technology delivery, thereby increasing stakeholder satisfaction. 
  • Lead the delivery of relevant architectures and systems capability strategies. 
  • Shape and deliver technology roadmaps aligned with business goals.  
  • Monitor and apply emerging technologies to improve outcomes.  
  • Provide expert advice and direction across architecture domains.  
  • Champion quality management and continuous improvement.  
  • Support the uplift of architectural capability and practice maturity.  
  • Drive intended business outcome delivery across platform and delivery teams. 
  • Exercise delegated technical decision-making authority through TAC participation. 

 

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:

 

You’ll be a senior leader in the architecture practice uplifting capability, championing governance, and aligning initiatives. You’ll bring: 

 

  • Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills with the ability to proactively enable groups to have the right conversions and come to the right decisions.
  • Pragmatic thinking and the ability to balance cost, quality, time and quantify trade-offs.
  • Excellent communication and influencing experience across technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Governance expertise working with Programme steering committees and Architecture Review Boards. 
  • Significant experience in enterprise architecture leadership in very complex environments, particularly with influencing senior leaders and gaining their trust.
  • Proven ability to develop and deliver technology strategies and roadmaps that deliver the business outcomes promised.
  • A deep understanding of the core enterprise architecture and solution architecture domains. 
  • Expertise in emerging technology monitoring and adoption.
  • Proven experience in coaching, mentoring, and growing architectural capability. 

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:

 

A copy of the position description can be found here: Lead Enterprise Architect position description. 

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $176,805.00 - $233,831.00

 

The full salary range for this role is $176,805 - $233,831. We expect to appoint this position up to midpoint of the band, $196,450 however 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: Tuesday 1 September 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.