Programme Lead

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Date: 7 Sept 2025

Location: Wellington, NZ

Company: Ministry of Social Development

  • Lead the strategic delivery of high-impact policy programmes
  • Embed programme management excellence and drive change.
  • Wellington based permanent role

 

Join Whaikaha as our Programme Lead and take charge of designing, developing, and delivering key projects that drive meaningful policy outcomes.

 

Mō te tūnga | About the role:

 

We’re looking for a strategic and experienced Programme Lead to drive the design, development, and delivery of key projects within our policy work programme. 

 

This role is pivotal in ensuring projects are scoped, resourced, and sequenced effectively to meet Whaikaha’s strategic outcomes and milestones.

 

You’ll lead programme strategy from initiation through to delivery and reporting, provide senior technical expertise, and work collaboratively across the organisation to embed programme management systems and practices.


Key responsibilities:

 

  • Lead and scope end-to-end programme strategy, including milestone planning and reporting
  • Provide thought leadership and technical advice to inform programme direction
  • Maintain oversight of programme delivery, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource management
  • Develop change management plans to support transition to business-as-usual
  • Deliver robust analysis, risk identification, and reporting throughout the programme lifecycle
  • Coach and mentor team members to build capability and drive quality improvement

Mōu | About you:

 

  • A strong background in project and programme management, including use of programme management frameworks and disciplines in complex settings. 
  • It’s important that you understand human-centred design and have strong knowledge of the disability sector. 
  • Previous experience leading the design and delivery of projects.
  • You’ll be a strategic thinker and have the ability to translate project plans into practical delivery  
  • Proven experience providing strategic or operational advice to senior leaders
  • You’ll be good at working with others and have proven experience building strong stakeholder relationships.
  • Knowing how government works and understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a bonus.


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.

 

He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga | Position Description:

 

The job description can be found here: Programme Lead position description.

Utu-ā-tau | Salary Range: $117,419.00 - $174,069.00

 

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: Friday 12 September 2025. 

 

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.