Senior Curriculum Lead

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

Permanent Full-Time

As a Senior Curriculum Lead, you will take the lead role in the Curriculum Advisory Service where you work closely with the Curriculum Advisor team, who provide support, guidance and advice to teachers and Kaiako on the provision of curriculum.  Based in the Hamilton Office, your responsibilities include:

• The delivery and implementation across the region of curriculum and assessment changes in early learning services, kura and schools.
• Leading, coaching and mentoring Curriculum colleagues to support service delivery and ensure consistency across the pathway, in partnership with the national curriculum leadership team.
• Ensuring that the practice management, professional development, and standards of practice are met and that they contribute to the performance, delivery and deployment of capability building approaches for Curriculum Advisors.
• Building collaborative networks within and across the Ministry and actively sharing good practice

You will be part of a regional team working closely with schools, kura and early learning services to:

• Providing advice to educational leaders, teachers and kaiako to support the implementation of government curriculum priorities to improve learning outcomes for all students.
• Lead the provision of support and guidance for a team of Curriculum Advisors enabling school leaders, kaiako and teachers to understand and implement the national curriculum.
• Provide regular insights to the Curriculum Centre on the implementation and impact of resources, support and services.

Salary range: $119,171 - $144,560 per annum + 3% 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

To be successful in this role, you will need to have the following capabilities and competencies:

• Proven experience in building and maintaining effective relationships and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
• Strong, proven curriculum design expertise and a deep working knowledge and practical experience in literacy and communication or maths teaching (early learning, primary or secondary), or te reo matatini or pāngarau teaching (kaupapa Māori or Māori medium), is essential. Please state your area of expertise in your application
• Extensive knowledge and experience in teaching and learning, leadership, and curriculum and assessment theory and practice, with an ability to support professional change in education settings
• Experiential knowledge and competencies in supporting curriculum design that has evidenced improved outcomes for diverse communities.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of education contexts at a practical level.
• Strong diplomacy, interpersonal and facilitation skills, with an ability to adapt to different interaction styles and contexts.
• Skills in leading and motivating others, and the ability to challenge, facilitate, supervise and coach kaiako and teachers to build capability, and where necessary, implement change.
• Tertiary qualification in education, leadership, or related areas, including for te reo matatini me te pāngarau, literacy & communication or maths learning
• A full current drivers license as travel will be required.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

This is a unique opportunity to support the delivery of government curriculum priorities and be part of transfortmation and change in Aotearoa | New Zealand’s education system. 

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake 

Te Mahau | Te Tai Runga is a frontline group that collectively provides leadership and integrated services to the sector and others. This includes services such as learning support and education advice, and regulation functions for kōhanga, schools, kura and early learning services.

As a frontline group we develop and harness existing relationships with communities at the regional and local level, including deep relationships with iwi and hapū.

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 resume 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 Norman Mailer, Manager Practice & Performance at norman.mailer@education.govt.nz.

Applications close Midnight – Sunday 18 January 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.