Senior Service Designer, Wellington
Date: 21 Oct 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
Senior Service Designer, MSD – services for the future
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.
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.
Join MSD’s flagship transformation programme, MSD –services for the future, and help shape how we deliver services to New Zealanders for the next 30 years.
MSD – services for the future 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.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
- Fixed term to June 2027
- Based at National Office, Wellington
We’re looking for two Senior Service Designers to join our Enterprise Design – Service Experience Design team. These roles are critical to shaping how MSD services will evolve as part of the MSD - services for the Future transformation programme.
As a Senior Service Designer, you’ll lead the design and development of high-level scope for transition states, helping define how MSD moves from its current state to our Future Service Model (TOM). You’ll bring strategic design leadership while staying hands-on, mentoring others and producing design artefacts that define key experience shifts for clients, staff, and partners.
We’re seeking designers who can go beyond strategy, who can cut through complexity and identify what needs to be done to move from vision to execution. Your experience in translating strategic design into executable change will be essential in supporting the programme to identify and implement changes across the operating model.
You’ll be working within the MSD - services for the future programme, alongside multiple workstreams and contributors from both transformation and BAU teams. Your role will ensure each transition state aligns with our strategic direction and contributes to benefits realisation.
This role is all about connecting insights, people, and possibilities. You’ll apply best-practice design and co-design approaches, drawing on research, evidence, and lessons from past and current service models, both locally and internationally.
You’ll facilitate inclusive workshops and co-creation sessions, bringing together clients, service providers, and partners to create tailored, impactful solutions.
About you – Skills & Experience | Mōu – Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako
What we’re looking for:
- Solid experience in client-focused service design, drawing on a wide range of views and information to create successful, client-focused solutions, ideally within a transformation programme or similarly complex environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead service design activities that deliver innovative, evidence-based results.
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to adapt your style for different audiences.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to mentor and support other Service Designers.
- A thought leader who can read team dynamics and foster collaboration.
You will:
- Lead the design and development of high-level scope for transition states, helping shape how MSD moves from current state to its Future Service Model.
- Translate strategic design into executable change, identifying what needs to be done across the operating model to enable transformation.
- Create design artefacts that define key experience shifts for clients, staff, and partners, supporting decision-making and benefits realisation.
- Facilitate inclusive co-design sessions and workshops, bringing together diverse voices to co-create tailored service solutions.
- Mentor and support other service designers, fostering collaboration and contributing to a strong, high-performing design practice.
Are you ready to make a difference?
Apply now and help us shape the future of service delivery for New Zealanders. Bring your expertise, creativity, and passion for innovation to MSD, where your work will have a real impact on the lives of our clients and communities.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $90,743.00 - $109,980.00
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
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.
There is a question on the application form requesting some information on service design work you have led and produced. Please read this questions carefully.
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: 2 November 2025
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. 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.
