Practice Lead - Analysis and Design | Wellington | Permanent
Date: 22 Jun 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Lead and shape a high-performing Analysis and Design practice within a large, complex environment
- Combine people leadership with technical expertise to lift capability, quality, and consistency
- Play a key role in embedding the practice model and influencing how IST delivers value
Step into a pivotal leadership role where you’ll grow people, strengthen practice capability, and help shape how analysis and design delivers impact across the organisation.
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.
Our Technology group 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. The group 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 Practice Lead, you will provide people and technical leadership within our Analysis and Design Practice, supporting the Practice Manager in the development and overall success of the practice and its people.
Working collaboratively with other Analysis and Design Practice Leads, you will equip members of the Practice with the skills, tools, and common methodologies to consistently deliver value, quality and functional excellence.
You will be responsible for a number of direct reports, playing a key role in embedding the practice model within IST.
Key responsibilities include:
- Support the Practice Manager in overseeing the practice’s overall performance, ensuring consistency and quality of skills and methodology
- Collaborate with the Practice Manager and delivery stakeholders on sourcing and recruitment needs for the practice
- Provide people and technical leadership
- Coach and develop direct reports
- Participate in the delivery of Analysis and Design across IST and MSD
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 professional and technical experience in technology business analysis and design and a strong understanding of relevant processes and tools
- Proven experience leading and developing people, including performance management, coaching, mentoring, career development and building high-performing teams
- Demonstrated experience establishing, embedding or improving professional practices, standards, frameworks, communities of practice or capability uplift initiatives
- Extensive experience operating in an Agile environment
- Strong networking skills and well-developed relationships within the technology sector and industry
- Excellent communication skills, including written, with the ability to translate technical and non-technical information
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
A copy of the position description can be found here. Practice Lead position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $138,125.00 - $171,889.00
We expect to appoint this position up to $153,472 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: Sunday 5 July 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.
