Practice Manager Quality Assurance | Permanent & full-time | Wellington based
Date: 3 Feb 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Enterprise leadership role shaping the future of technology quality at MSD
- This is not a traditional QA management role.
- This is an opportunity to architect and lead a national Quality Assurance practice that underpins one of the largest and most critical technology environments in Aotearoa.
If you are motivated by building high-performing teams, lifting organisational maturity, and embedding best-in-class quality practices at scale then this is your opportunity.
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.
Improvement 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 QA Practice ensures our technology is robust, secure, reliable, and fit for the future. We are now ready to take that practice to the next level.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
As Practice Manager Quality Assurance, you will set the strategic direction for Quality Assurance across MSD’s technology systems.
You will build a cohesive, high-performing national practice that defines standards, strengthens capability, and ensures quality is embedded from strategy through to delivery.
You will:
- Define and execute a clear vision for enterprise-wide QA maturity
- Build and lead a highly engaged, future ready QA workforce
- Establish best-practice frameworks, governance models, and performance metrics
- Drive workforce planning and talent strategy to ensure depth, resilience, and succession
- Introduce structured capability pathways and development frameworks
- Strengthen quality engineering practices across agile and hybrid delivery models
- Champion data driven assurance and continuous improvement
- Partner with senior leaders to ensure quality is designed in and not just inspected at the end
This is a leadership role that combines strategic thinking, organisational design, and people development. You will shape how MSD delivers quality at scale.
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 are an enterprise level practice leader who understands that quality is both a discipline and a culture.
You bring:
- Significant experience leading large-scale QA or technology practices
- A track record of building high performing, trusted teams
- Experience lifting organisational maturity and embedding best practice
- Strength in workforce planning, talent development, and succession design
- Deep knowledge of modern QA frameworks, tooling, automation, and governance
- Confidence operating at executive level and influencing enterprise direction
- Strong systems thinking and the ability to balance strategic oversight with operational effectiveness
You are energised by transformation. You enjoy building capability, clarifying standards, and creating environments where quality professionals thrive.
Why this role matters:
MSD’s services are critical to the wellbeing of New Zealanders. Quality is not optional, it is foundational to trust, resilience, and performance.
In this role, you will:
- Build a centre of excellence for Quality Assurance
- Elevate quality maturity across a national technology function
- Strengthen workforce capability for the long term
- Contribute directly to a major public sector transformation
This is an opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on how MSD delivers technology and on the services that support communities across Aotearoa.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here: Practice Manager | Position Description
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $163,784.00 - $203,820.00
A salary offer will reflect skills, experience, and internal relativity considerations.
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Wednesday 18 March 2026.
About us | Mō mātou:
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.
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.
