Director, NZSL Strategy & Governance
Date: 16 Dec 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
As the Director, you will play an influential leadership role in driving the strategic direction of NZSL work across government and the community.
You’ll lead Whaikaha’s relationship with the NZSL Board, ensuring its statutory and strategic functions are fulfilled, and champion NZSL as a taonga embedded in policy and practice.
Key responsibilities
- Provide strategic advice to Ministers and senior leaders on NZSL outcomes
- Lead the implementation and monitoring of the NZSL Strategy
- Represent Whaikaha in Ministerial and interagency forums
- Build strong partnerships with Deaf communities and government stakeholders
- Oversee governance processes and support the NZSL Board
- Manage budgets and ensure accountability reporting
- Lead a high performing team with a culture of inclusion and accessibility
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
- A strategic leader who can influence at the highest levels and deliver impact for Deaf communities.
- Proven experience leading complex work programmes and high-performing teams
- Expertise in governance, Cabinet processes, and the machinery of government
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
- Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity principles
- Lived experience or knowledge of NZSL and Deaf culture (fluency in NZSL highly desirable)
- Proven experience advising Ministers and senior leaders on complex strategic issues
- Commitment to accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of leadership
To undertake this role successfully you will either be a disabled person, or you will be able to establish credibility and trust with the disability community.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here: Director NZSL Position Description
The closing date, application process and alternate formats of this advertisement can be found here: Work with us | Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,530 - $210,966
Mō mātou | About us:
At Whaikaha, we want an Aotearoa New Zealand where Deaf and disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are thriving.
As a Ministry we are dedicated to this goal, working with government, businesses, and communities to drive real change.
We do this by investing in disability communities, providing strategic and policy advice across government, monitoring how well services are working, and identifying new, exciting opportunities to make a difference.
We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive environment.
Ka kati ngā tono hei te | Applications close: 31 January 2026
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:
Click the 'Apply' button to complete the online form, or let’s kōrero about what you need to feel supported in your application.
For example, you may prefer to use video instead of a traditional CV and cover letter, or you might want whānau or a friend to tell us about you.
Contact us about the best way for you to apply by emailing: PeopleandCulture@whaikaha.govt.nz.
If you work for Whaikaha please apply through the myHR portal so that your employee profile is visible as an internal candidate.
