General Manager, Regional Property Operations

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

The General Manager, Regional Property Operations contributes to the collective leadership and governance of the School Property group, helping to deliver our purpose and embed the strategic vision and key shifts in your area of accountability.

You will have overall responsibility for the oversight and delivery of property outcomes for all regions, overseeing regional delivery across capital works, asset management and maintenance.

This means having responsibility for establishing and implementing the priority priorities for regions, supported by your regional teams. The leadership of these priorities covers asset management planning, advice and support and the delivery of all Property led construction.

Salary midpoint: $250,000 per annum total remuneration. 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 the role as the General Manager, Regional Property Operations you will have people and operational leadership experience, working at a senior level and managing the development and delivery of complex, cross-functional projects, or programmes. You will also have significant experience in leading, developing and delivering operational programmes and/or products and projects within budget, timeline and scope boundaries.

You will also offer:

• Senior leadership experience within a complex environment. 
• Experience in developing and delivering integrated strategic and operational plans and budgets.   
• Experience in leading the implementation, monitoring and improvement of organisational systems, frameworks and processes.  
• Experience in driving organisational change aligned to strategic priorities that delivers intended outcomes.  
• Experience in building and leading inclusive and diverse teams and creating a safe, open and responsive culture.  
• Experience in building strategic relationships and collaborating across organisations to achieve shared outcomes.  
• Experience in managing operational processes, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.
• Experience building and leading inclusive and diverse teams and creating a respectful, open and responsive culture.
• Experience in managing external partners and providers to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience in building relationships and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
• Excellent knowledge of change management principles with sound business case development and approvals skills.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The School Property group manages one of the largest property portfolios in Aotearoa New Zealand, composed of over 2,100 primary and secondary state schools and over 8,000 hectares of land with a carrying value of $33.5 billion. Our team is responsible for the portfolio, including school engagement, asset management, capital works delivery, investment planning and portfolio management.

We have a responsibility to invest in property solutions that demonstrate value for money while still delivering the right outcome for our schools and kura. Demand for new or improved school property across the country is high, and the way we meet these needs is to do so more efficiently. We have set financial and timeliness targets for our programme, and we’re looking to improve our planning and delivery, as well as working proactively and collaboratively with schools and the construction sector. This will ensure that our property projects deliver value and are part of an affordable and deliverable programme of works.

The School Property group is led by a Chief Executive for School Property, who reports directly to the Minister for Education. In July 2025 the Government announced it will establish a Crown agent to manage school property, to be called the New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA). Implementation of the NZSPA is expected in 2026, subject to the legislation being passed and establishment milestones being achieved.

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 Lucy Ross, Director, Office of the CE at lucy.ross@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Wednesday, 20 August 2025.

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.