Practice Manager Technology Delivery | Wellington | Permanent
Date: 12 Jun 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Lead and mature a critical enterprise practice with organisation-wide impact
- Shape delivery capability, governance and workforce strategy at scale
- Operate as a Portfolio Manager, aligning delivery outcomes with enterprise priorities
This is a permanent opportunity to lead the Technology Delivery Leadership practice within Technology, alongside accountability as Portfolio Manager for Technology.
Over recent months, the practice has been strengthened with clearer expectations for delivery leadership, improved alignment with governance and planning, and a stronger focus on building sustainable capability across Technology. This role will continue that momentum, embedding and evolving the practice to ensure it delivers ongoing value in a complex, high-demand environment.
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.
The 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. Technology 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, you will operate at an enterprise level within MSD, shaping how technology delivery leadership is defined, supported and held to account across portfolios. You will work across Technology and with key organisational partners to ensure that practice, workforce capability, governance and delivery systems are aligned and working effectively together.
In your portfolio management capacity, you will provide oversight across technology delivery, supporting alignment between priorities, planning and delivery execution. You will work closely with governance, EPMO and delivery leaders to maintain visibility, coordinate across initiatives and ensure delivery remains aligned to MSD’s strategic priorities.
This role requires someone who understands how large and complex organisations operate, including planning cycles, governance expectations and delivery context, and has the ability to translate that into clear direction, pragmatic approaches and sustained improvement in delivery confidence and outcomes.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead and evolve the Technology Delivery Leadership practice at an enterprise level, setting clear direction, standards and expectations for delivery leadership across Technology, including practice architecture, role constructs and capability pathways
- Provide people leadership to Practice Leads and senior practitioners, driving performance, coaching, development and accountability across the practice
- Fulfil the Portfolio Manager role for Technology, providing oversight across delivery and ensuring alignment between strategy, planning and execution, working closely with EPMO, governance and delivery leaders
- Strengthen organisational systems that support delivery, including workforce planning, governance alignment, and mechanisms that improve visibility, coordination and consistency across initiatives
- Influence and partner with senior leaders across Technology and the wider organisation to improve delivery performance, behaviours and outcomes, holding stakeholders to account where required
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:
We are looking for someone who can operate credibly within MSD’s environment, bringing strong enterprise practice leadership and experience working at portfolio level.
You will demonstrate:
- Experience working within MSD or similarly large, complex public sector organisations, with a strong understanding of governance, planning and delivery at scale
- Proven ability to establish, mature and lead enterprise-level practices, including defining standards, expectations, role clarity and capability pathways
- Experience operating at portfolio level, with the ability to ensure alignment between strategy, planning and delivery across multiple initiatives
- Experience partnering with EPMO, governance and senior leadership to improve visibility, coordination and delivery performance
- A track record of shaping and aligning organisational systems, including planning, governance, accountability and ways of working
- Experience leading workforce strategy and capability uplift, including role design, workforce planning and development pathways
- Ability to influence within complex environments, building trusted relationships while constructively challenging and holding leaders to account
- Experience leading through organisational change and ambiguity, maintaining clarity and direction
- Strong people leadership, including coaching and developing senior practitioners and delivery leaders
- A pragmatic understanding of modern delivery approaches, including agile and other delivery methodologies, applied within complex organisations
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: Thursday 25 June 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.
