Principal Advisor - Transformation Capability and Career Development
Wellington, NZ
• Fixed term/Secondment opportunity for 24 months
• Wellington based
If you thrive in complex environments and enjoy turning ideas into practical solutions, we would love to hear from you.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
MSD – services for the future programme 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.
Services for the future will position us to deliver the changes to the welfare system the Government requires.
Achieving our vision will be a multi-year journey for MSD.
This is a once in a generation change to the way MSD delivers services to New Zealanders and our opportunity to set up MSD for the next 30 years. The programme is a major undertaking, delivering significant benefits to over a million New Zealanders who access MSD support and services. This is an unrivalled opportunity to be involved in MSD’s journey.
As Principal Advisor in the People Group, you’ll partner with the Transformation Programme to lead the development and embedding of a joined‑up Induction and Capability approach – linking MyHR, SFIA‑aligned role profiles, learning pathways and talent pools, to grow and keep the specialist skills we need.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
This Principal Programme Advisor position offers a unique opportunity to lead a centre of excellence, to design and own capability frameworks, build confidence with stakeholders, and create transparency and insight for decision makers.
This role has a strong Learning and Development focus supporting the growth of critical talent including Business Analysts, Service Designers, System Architects, Customer Experience Leads, Project Managers and other Transformational roles and functions.
You will be responsible for setting up induction and career development pathways that support our transformation programme. You will work closely the Workforce Design team, with plenty of support from the wider Learning and Capability group.
You will work collaboratively with the People Group, Workforce Design and other MSD teams and will partner with portfolio and workstream leads to ensure practices are easy to understand, practical, and add value to delivery teams. You will also work with governance members and business leaders to ensure information is transparent and insightful, building confidence and enabling sound decision-making.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- Proven track record leading end‑to‑end learning design and implementation across multiple programmes and portfolios in large, complex organisations.
- Demonstrated ability to promote, educate, and facilitate specialist learning practices including the ability to develop new and innovative ways of learning design.
- Experience with using a range of learning technologies particularly system-based learning such as LinkedIn Learning, Percipio, and SFIA 9, the Skills Framework for the Information Age, would be an advantage.
- Proven experience engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders, including senior management and third-party providers, to achieve outcomes and build high-quality relationships.
- Experience working collaboratively and responsively in public sector settings, often across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Technical proficiency, with the ability to produce high-quality documents and maintain strong attention to detail.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, able to define issues, provide solutions, and make sound decisions under time pressure and competing deadlines.
- Ability to translate complex ideas into practical actions, securing engagement and buy-in from stakeholders.
- Strong work ethic, showing drive, determination, and a pragmatic, adaptable, and open-minded approach.
- Effective communication, relationship management, and organisational skills, with discretion and sensitivity in all interactions.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, learning, and innovative approaches to work.
- Knowledge of te ao Māori and confidence engaging with whānau, hapū, and iwi (desirable)
- Ability to operate autonomously while gaining cooperation from others, prioritise effectively in busy environments, and manage competing priorities.
Keen to lead best practice, support organisational transformation, and develop career pathways for others? Apply now and join a collaborative, forward-thinking team.
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 8th February 2026
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.
