Practice Manager Software Engineering | Wellington | Permanent
Date: 12 May 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Lead, coach and evolve MSD’s Software Engineering practice at organisational scale
- Build consistent engineering capability, high-quality standards across Technology that underpins technology delivery and business outcomes
- Influence workforce strategy for Software Engineering and delivery outcomes across complex technology environments
- Collaborate, build strong relationships and partner with our Platform and Delivery teams to ensure we have the right capabilities in place now and in 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.
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 Practice Manager, Software Engineering, you will lead a specialist practice with accountability for people leadership, capability development, and practice performance.
You will work closely with practice, platform, delivery leaders and key stakeholders to ensure software engineering capability and standards are fit for purpose, future focused, and consistently applied across platforms and delivery teams.
This is a senior people leadership role focused on practice excellence, workforce capability, and enabling delivery through strong engineering standards, modern development practices, and ways of working.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead and develop a team of Software Engineering practice leads and engineers at scale, with accountability for performance, capability and wellbeing.
- Translate the Software Engineering practice strategy into clear learning, development and career pathways alongside our SFIA partnership.
- Set and uphold engineering standards, coding practices, tooling, and quality frameworks across the organisation.
- Lead Software Engineering workforce planning, talent sourcing and recruitment to meet current and future engineering capability needs.
- Partner with platform and delivery leaders and stakeholders to enable effective resourcing and high-quality engineering outcomes.
- Benchmark externally to ensure engineering practices align with emerging technologies, tools and industry best practice.
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:
- Extensive professional and technical breadth and depth of experience in software engineering
- Proven experience in senior people leadership, including coaching, performance management and capability development
- Strong experience developing and implementing practice-wide capability and workforce strategies
- Deep understanding of modern software engineering practices, including DevOps, CI/CD, and quality engineering in complex environments
- Demonstrated ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across business and technology domains
- Sound knowledge of end-to-end recruitment and workforce planning in a public sector or large organisation context
- Experience embedding consistent engineering ways of working and standards at scale
- Strong understanding of agile and modern delivery practices and how software engineering integrates across delivery teams
- Highly effective communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
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 be based on the preferred candidates skills and experience and our team relativities.
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Tuesday 26 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
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.
