Product Manager, Social Commissioning - Kotahitanga
Date: 25 Nov 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
• Wellington based
• Permanent role
About our team | Mō te tīma:
The Māori, Communities and Partnerships Group is responsible for building capability across MSD to support the aspirations of Māori and connecting and collaborating to build effective partnerships and community approaches that achieve better outcomes for those who most need our support.
MSD – services for the future programme is about MSD’s future role and how we can make a bigger and better difference for New Zealanders. It will help us achieve the shifts we want to make to achieve our strategic goal, Te Pae Tawhiti.
Kotahitanga is one of the service streams within MSD – services for the future, 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.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
We’re looking for a Product Manager to lead the direction and development of our social commissioning products and services. You’ll set the vision, shape the roadmap, and work with others to make sure our products deliver real value for our partners and the organisation. You’ll also lead a team that supports our systems and helps our people and partners get the most out of them.
This role is about understanding what our partners and staff need, keeping up with sector trends, and driving improvements that make a difference.
What you’ll be doing | Ko te mahi :
• Setting the vision and roadmap for social commissioning products and services
• Building strong relationships with leaders and stakeholders across MSD
• Coordinating engagement and communication to support product and system improvements
• Using data and feedback to improve our products and user experience
• Overseeing the delivery of product and system enhancements
• Leading a team to support continuous improvement and provide system support
• Supporting planning and information gathering for contracted services
• Embedding Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in your work and leadership
• Making sure health, safety, and wellbeing policies are followed
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
• Experience in product management or a similar role, ideally in a large organisation
• Experience managing the full lifecycle of products or services
• Good understanding of social commissioning and how government works
• Strong planning, organisational, and communication skills
• Ability to build relationships and work well with others
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working in partnership with Māori
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to lead through change
If you want to use your skills to help shape better services for our communities, we’d like to hear from you.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00
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: Wednesday 3rd December, 2025. We will review applications as they are received and may conduct interviews before or shortly after the closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Please ensure you are available for interviews shortly after the closing date.
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.
