Scrum Lead

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Date: 10 Sept 2026

Location: Wellington, NZ

Company: Ministry of Social Development

 

  • Wellington based 

  • 24 month fixed term/Secondment opportunity  

  

Bring your Agile expertise, leadership skills, and passion for supporting people to a role where you can make a real impact across MSD. 

About our team | Mō te tīma

 

 MSD – services for the future is a multi-year programme to transform how we operate so we can deliver for New Zealanders and focus our resources and investment on the people who need it. The programme will make significant changes to our underlying systems, processes, and introduce redesigned services that put people first.   

  

The Information, Data, and Analytics team is leading an ambitious work programme to uplift our data and information capabilities to support the Transformation initiatives, while also establishing Enterprise level standards for BAU. MSD operates within a highly complex data environment, and our focus is on creating the foundations that allow data to be managed deliberately and consistently over time. This includes developing an enterprise data model, strengthening stewardship and governance, embedding a standardised data quality framework, and establishing master data management practices. 

About the role | Mō te tūnga

 

As a Scrum Lead, you will support one or more cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality outcomes and maximise the value they create. You will play a key role in fostering an agile culture, helping teams work effectively together, continuously improve, and stay focused on delivering value for customers. 

 

You will empower teams to become self-organising and provide leadership that supports team wellbeing, collaboration, and performance. Working closely with Programme Managers, Product Owners, and team members, you will help ensure goals, priorities, and product roadmaps are clearly understood and aligned. 

 

This role is responsible for coaching and supporting teams in agile practices and ways of working, removing barriers to progress, and creating an environment where teams can succeed. You will help build strong relationships across the organisation, encourage continuous improvement, and support the delivery of customer-focused solutions that contribute to MSD's wider goals and priorities. 

 

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys enabling others to perform at their best, leading through influence, and helping teams deliver meaningful outcomes in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. 

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga

To be successful in this role, you will bring strong experience working in Agile environments and supporting teams to deliver high-quality outcomes. You will be a confident coach and facilitator, with the ability to build strong relationships, support continuous improvement, and help teams achieve their goals in a complex and fast-paced environment. 

 

You will also bring: 

  • Strong experience with Agile methodologies and the software development lifecycle, including previous experience as a Scrum Lead, Scrum Master, or in a similar role supporting cross-functional teams. 
  • Experience working in data delivery environments, including data warehouse or data asset development, ETL processes, and knowledge of DataOps or DevOps practices. 
  • Excellent facilitation, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and business audiences. 
  • Proven experience building strong stakeholder relationships, managing competing priorities, and negotiating positive outcomes in complex environments. 
  • The ability to influence, motivate, and support teams to become self-organising, while maintaining a focus on customer outcomes and continuous improvement. 
  • Strong organisational skills, sound judgement, and the ability to balance multiple demands while adapting to changing priorities and ambiguity. 
  • A collaborative and approachable leadership style, with a genuine commitment to supporting team wellbeing, development, and success. 

 

We are looking for someone who values teamwork, open communication, and continuous improvement, and who takes pride in helping teams deliver meaningful outcomes for customers and the organisation. 

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $119,586.00 - $145,235.00

 

Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Wednesday 23rd September, 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.