Operating Model Lead Kotahitanga, Te Pae Tawhiti
Date: 9 Apr 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.
Operating Model Lead Kotahitanga, Te Pae Tawhiti
• Wellington based
• 9 months Fixed term/Secondment opportunity
• Apply now to be part of this important mahi.
We’re looking for someone who can bring strong leadership and collaboration—if that’s you, we’d like to hear from you.
Te Pae Tawhiti– Our Future is about the Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) future role and how we can make a bigger and better difference for New Zealanders. Te Pae Tawhiti transformation programme is a multi-year journey that will deliver services that are easier, more accessible, and better integrated across MSD.
Mō te tīma / About our team
Kotahitanga is one of the service streams within Te Pae Tawhiti, Kotahitanga is all about how we are stronger when we work together with partners - external groups, organisations, and agencies to improve the delivery of our services to New Zealanders. MSD has a large and diverse range of partners that we work with in spaces such as employment, housing, capability building, services for disabled people, community services, and more.
Mō te tūnga / About the role
As the Operating Model Lead, Kotahitanga, you’ll lead the development of a new relational commissioning operating model for MSD. Starting with a discovery phase, you’ll help identify what’s working well and where opportunities exist across MSD. You’ll then guide structured design and test phases, providing leadership, managing scope, and supporting risk and issue management.
This role involves close collaboration with other MSD teams, partners, and social sector agencies. You’ll build strong relationships, engage in culturally responsive ways, and work with the wider Kotahitanga team to shape the model’s direction and ensure visibility of progress.
Mōu – Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako / Skills and experience
To succeed in this role, you will bring strong strategic thinking, leadership, and collaboration skills, alongside a commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive practice. You will have:
- Proven experience developing operating models, strategies, or large-scale process improvements in complex environments
- An understanding of Te Ao Māori and a commitment to embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in design work
- Experience working across government agencies, NGOs, iwi/Māori, and community groups, with an awareness of the wider social sector
- The ability to tailor approaches to diverse needs while staying focused on better outcomes for whānau and communities
- A track record of leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects and working with senior leaders to influence decisions and drive outcomes
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to provide direction, support direct reports, and foster a positive team culture
- Knowledge of commissioning processes and the machinery of government (experience in these areas is an advantage)
- Familiarity with Agile ways of working
You will also be someone who:
- Translates complex ideas into practical actions and gains stakeholder engagement
- Demonstrates strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with sound judgment and political awareness
- Communicates clearly, listens actively, and builds strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders
- Understands opportunities to improve outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities and works collaboratively to support this
If you’re passionate about system change and collaboration, this could be the role for you.
Position Description
Salary range: $120,870.00 - $150,416.00
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: Monday 21st April, 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.
