Lead Advisor Network

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 ākonga in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

• Permanent, full-time
• Bay of Plenty – Tauranga or Rotorua location

Do you have a passion and flair for planning, analysis and relationship management? Do you have an understanding or strong interest in education systems in New Zealand and relevant legislation? Are you experienced in having difficult conversations?

The Lead Advisor Network supports the work of the Ministry of Education’s Te Mahau regional teams by advising on the management and design of the Bay of Plenty-Waiariki regional network of schools and on the long-term and medium-term structure and design of the schooling network. This includes the implementation and management of enrolment schemes, roll growth planning, learning support network, and Māori Medium pathways.

You will be preparing and contributing to Ministerial Reports, submissions, briefings and official information requests.

This requires you to build a good understanding of the wider regional environment and trends, and identify potential opportunities risks and issues before they arise. This will involve engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including school boards, principals, education organisations, government agencies and council planners.

You will analyse data and collate insights gained from your strong relationships with internal staff and external agencies to identify changing needs within the schooling network so that the Ministry is able to respond effectively.

You will be managing the work programme, maintaining high level oversight across network projects and outputs for a small team, and will need to work collectively with the team to achieve results, while also being part of a larger community of Lead Advisors Network nationally. You will be required to manage risks associated with the schooling network.

This permanent, full-time role can be based at either our Tauranga or Rotorua office, offering a fantastic lifestyle and work-life balance opportunity in one of New Zealand’s stunning and diverse outdoor regions. Applicants who live in the surrounding Bay of Plenty areas and are willing to commute may also be interested in this role.

Salary range: $100,296 -  $121,490 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 Job Description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful in this role, you will have the following experience and capabilities:

• Resilience and a confident communicator experienced in having critical conversations
• experience working in a complex organisation
• the ability to build a good understanding of the wider regional environment and trends, and identify potential opportunities risks and issues before they arise
• a proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making
• a track record of bringing people together and leading, coaching and mentoring others to achieve outcomes
• project management and planning skills and an understanding of project management methodology
• understanding of education systems in New Zealand, and relevant education legislation
• understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and their implications on network provision within the education sector
• a full current driver licence as travel will be required
• the ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The Operations and Insights team is part of Te Mahau | Te Tai Whenua (Central), a frontline group that collectively provides leadership and integrated services to the education sector and others. This includes learning support, education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services, and advice and support with curriculum. We also share practice and learnings collaboratively with other Te Mahau and Ministry groups to support insights driven guidance, design and policy.

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.

From within the Te Mahau group, you will work closely and collaboratively across different groups within the Ministry of Education including Infrastructure Management and property delivery teams.

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 (please do not email your application). 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 Pennie Muldoon at 07 349 7464 and/or email Pennie.Muldoon@education.govt.nz.

Applications close at midnight - Wednesday 4 February 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.