Director of Regulation

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

Under the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Reform, the Ministry has established a new Director of Regulation role, responsible for key regulatory functions across the ECE system. This senior leadership role plays a critical part in strengthening regulatory capability, building regulatory awareness, and embedding high‑quality regulatory practice. The role carries independent statutory powers under the Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Act 2025.

Working alongside Early Learning Operations and teams across the Ministry, the Director will lead the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of the ECE regulatory system. This includes oversight of licensing, certification, monitoring, compliance, investigations, and enforcement to ensure effective, high‑quality early childhood education services.

The role is central to building trust and transparency, engaging confidently with providers and sector partners, and providing expert advice to Ministers and the Secretary for Education while exercising statutory independence where required. This is a rare opportunity to influence a regulatory system that underpins strong learning, wellbeing and life outcomes for all children.

The Director will be supported by a fixed‑term Principal Advisor, Regulation, along with a wider network of Ministry teams and subject matter experts across the Ministry.

This is a fulltime role, fixed term for 6 months as part of the establishment phase of the ECE regulatory function.

The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary based on their 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 position, you will be a strategic regulatory leader with deep expertise in designing, operating, and assuring effective regulatory systems. You bring sound judgement, a strong command of regulatory decision-making, and the ability to confidently exercise independent statutory powers. You are skilled at interpreting complex information, analysing risk, and making careful, defensible decisions.

Your background experience includes navigating complex public sector environments, with a solid understanding of the machinery of government, Cabinet and ministerial processes, and the unique responsibilities that come with public accountability.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in regulation, compliance, investigations, or system oversight
• Proven ability to exercise statutory independence and make complex decisions fairly and confidently
• Strong understanding of early childhood education or similar regulated sectors
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills, including working with legal teams, operational staff, and external agencies
• Exceptional communication abilities, including explaining complex regulatory matters clearly to diverse audiences
• The ability to build a robust regulatory strategy and uplift regulatory practice over time
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The Education Services Group provides well-designed, integrated education services that support the impactful and effective operation of education settings to support student achievement and participation. The services help to remove barriers to participation and learning and provide regulatory advice, support, and oversight to early learning providers, schools, and kura.

The Group has three key priorities for Education Services:

• Practice & Guidance: Managing practice and guidance to improve national coordination and consistency, whilst enabling regional autonomy for education service delivery.
  
  
• Integration & Delivery: Providing education support directly to education settings via integrated regional and national services. This includes intervening when necessary to ensure a high standard of operation to support student outcomes and owning key stakeholder relationships to support schooling improvement, and stronger outcomes for learners.
  
  
• Monitoring & Improvement: Monitoring and advising on improvements to the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of services for achievement and progression, and attendance and participation. This includes monitoring education provider performance against regulations and intervening as required.

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.

For further information, please contact Jenn Dawson, Chief Advisor, People Sustainability and Place, on email: jenn.dawson@education.govt.nz.

Applications close Midnight – Tuesday 17 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.