Group General Manager, Operational Standards and Support

Group General Manager – Operational Standards and Support

Strengthening Education

The Ministry of Education plays a critical role in shaping New Zealand’s education system to deliver equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. We provide advice to government on system and policy design, regulate across the education system and deliver services and supports to early learning providers, schools and kura, community organisations, tertiary providers and universities.

Achieving excellence is about supporting every student to experience success at every stage of their learning journey from early learning and schooling, right through to tertiary, training and employment. A focus on equity is critical in the New Zealand context – it means recognising and responding to the diverse circumstances and needs of all our learners. 

We are now reshaping the way the Ministry is organised so that we are better positioned to deliver on the goals of equity and excellence. This means focusing on our core role and doing it well; being deliberately outward-facing and forward-looking; utilising evidence and data to make informed decisions; and supporting a strong organisational culture.

As the stewards of our education system, the Ministry is looking for experienced and outstanding leaders who are driven, curious, open to different perspectives and adaptable to lead our people through system and organisational change. 

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

As our next Group General Manager, Operational Standards and Support, you will play a pivotal national leadership role in shaping an education system that delivers excellent and equitable outcomes for all ākonga. You will have a strong focus on prioritising efforts to increase attendance, lift achievement and improving access to student and learner support.

This senior leadership role leads the Ministry’s national operational functions for early learning and schooling, providing the frameworks, standards and guidance that ensure high‑quality, consistent practice across the motu. You will oversee sector support from early learning through secondary schooling, including operational funding, resourcing, staffing distribution, learning support services, schooling performance and improvement functions, and national network oversight.

You will be part of a senior leadership team comprised of national and regional leaders overseeing the provision of integrated services and supports into the education sector.

Working in close partnership with our regional delivery teams, you will ensure the sector is well‑supported to deliver environments where ākonga are safe, included, progressing and engaged. This is an opportunity to influence system-wide improvement and support meaningful outcomes for learners, whānau and communities.

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 role, you will be an experienced senior leader who brings strategic clarity, operational excellence, and the ability to effectively work in large, complex environments. You have a strong track record delivering integrated strategic and operational plans, leading organisational systems and processes, and driving change that achieves meaningful outcomes.

You are confident navigating the public sector, providing high‑quality advice to Ministers and delivering on government priorities. You collaborate well across agencies and sectors to achieve shared goals, and your understanding of education system settings, regulations and best practice enables you to make well informed decisions.

You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience managing large, complex teams in a dynamic environment
• Experience from working in a system leadership role
• Proven ability to develop and lead integrated strategic and operational plans and budgets
• A track record of driving organisational change aligned with strategic priorities
• Demonstrated ability to provide high‑quality advice to Ministers and deliver on government priorities
• Strong capability in building strategic relationships and collaborating across agencies and sectors
• Understanding of regulations, policies and best practice within the education sector
• Ability to influence and lead performance improvement, operational excellence and consistent practice nationwide
• The ability and willingness to adhere to and promote the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct

About the 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 resume by using the ‘apply' button.

For further information, please contact Riti Sharma Kelkar, Team Manager, Recruitment Services at riti.sharmakelkar@education.govt.nz.

Applications close midnight – Tuesday 24 March 2026.

We want our candidates 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.