Lead Advisor, Learning Support Practice

Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and skilled Lead Advisor, Learning Support Practice to join our team in the Waikato Region.  The Lead Advisor provides support and guidance to staff in the region to drive consistent learning support practice through the Service Managers and Managers Integrated Services. Lead Advisors, in collaboration with other roles will ensure all learning support staff have access to high quality, ongoing professional development and supervision.

 Help support the achievement of successful educational outcomes for all children and young people by: 

• Establishing yourself as a highly knowledgeable source of information and supporting on Te Tūāpapa o He Pikorua.
• Empowering others to use data to inform decision-making and improve outcomes for learners.
• Using regional data, evidence and insights to address key performance metrics.
• Driving regional implementation of national Learning Support practices, performance, processes and systems.
• Keeping abreast of Policy change that could affect practice changes.

The Lead Advisor, Learning Support Practice is a permanent full-time role based in the Hamilton office. 

Salary range: $100,296 – $121,490 per annum + KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

You will have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification.
• A full, clean Driving license.

You will also offer:

• Five or more years’ experience in the provision of specialist learning support services in education or a related field.
• Strong knowledge and experience of supporting children and young people with learning support needs.
• Experience in leading practice changes with individuals and at a system level.
• Strong practice credibility with colleagues and managers.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand education system.                                 
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
• An understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi, and its implications for the work of the Ministry of Education especially in matters relating to Māori development and the partnership values that flow from the Treaty.

You will be required to provide support and guidance to Service Managers and their specialist staff to drive consistent practice across the region. You will work closely and collaboratively with Chief Advisers Learning Support, Manager Practice and Performance, and  Learning Support specialist service leads to plan, co-ordinate and provide coordinated professional support and development for learning support specialists.

You will support the regional implementation of national practice changes, processes, and systems for Learning Support.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Waikato region provides leadership and integrated services to the sector and others, in line with national education priorities of achievement, attendance and learning support. This includes services such as learning support and education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services.

The Lead Advisor Learning Support Practice reports to the Manager Practice and Performance. The Practice and Performance team leads strategy, planning, prioritisation, and performance reporting for the regional office. Practice and Performance informs how services, practice (advice / guidance) and performance are designed nationally and delivered locally. The team works closely with local integrated services teams and external stakeholders to support best practice and identify continuous improvement.

As a frontline group we develop and harness existing relationships with communities at the regional and local level through the Directors of Education, including deep relationships with iwi and hapū. Our Directors of Education have the lead role and relationship with early learning, kōhanga, school and kura, and this means they will be across all the services we provide at a local level.

We also collectively strengthen relationships with our diverse communities who support Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled ākonga and/or ākonga with learning support needs, and ākonga from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and CV by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Norrie Mailer, Manager Practice and Performance at norman.mailer@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Sunday 30 August 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.