Manager Governance and Ministerial Services
Wellington, NZ
About us
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.
Permanent full-time position available - Based at National Office, Wellington
We’re looking for an experienced leader to step into the role of Manager Governance and Ministerial Services. This is a key opportunity to make a real impact by leading a team that provides high-quality governance, ministerial, and parliamentary support right across our organisation.
In this role, you’ll play a central part in ensuring our governance processes are strong, transparent, and aligned with public sector accountability requirements. You’ll also make sure Ministers, select committees, and governance groups receive timely, accurate, and consistent advice and reporting.
This role is a balance of strategy and delivery. You’ll be responsible for setting the direction, building capability, and ensuring the systems and processes are in place to support effective decision-making, compliance, and communication. Working closely with your team, senior leaders, Ministers’ offices, and other stakeholders, you’ll help the organisation respond confidently to ministerial and parliamentary needs.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and supporting a team to deliver excellent governance and ministerial services.
- Building strong relationships with Ministers’ offices and internal stakeholders.
- Ensuring responses to Parliamentary Questions and oversight bodies are timely, accurate, and well-informed.
- Ensuring the organisations governance committees are supported to operate effectively.
- Embedding best-practice governance principles across the organisation.
- Creating a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
About you
You’ll bring proven leadership experience and the ability to develop and guide a team in a complex environment. You’ll have a good understanding of how government works – including Cabinet and parliamentary processes – and the political context in which we operate. You’ll be confident working with Ministers and senior leaders, and you’ll know how to provide advice and support that is accurate, reliable, and trusted.
This is an exciting leadership role where you can help shape how we deliver governance and ministerial services, reinforce transparency and accountability, and contribute to the organisation’s overall direction.
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: Sunday 14th September 2025
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.
