Senior Advisor, Office of CE School Property

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

This is a fixed term role for 13 months, to cover a period of parental leave. 

We are looking for a Senior Advisor to support the Chief Executive – School Property and their Office to ensure that School Property is well positioned to deliver on its objectives.

This office works closely with parliamentary and external stakeholders, so experience with political interface and knowledge of the machinery of government is essential. The Senior Advisor is responsible for overseeing and coordinating work requests into the Office, including ministerial and general requests, correspondences, Official Information Act (OIA) requests, Parliamentary Questions (PQs), and select committee matters. This includes triaging and commissioning work, coordinating approvals and sign-off, facilitating submission to Ministers' offices, monitoring workflow, and ensuring timely delivery to the required standard.

A willingness to rapidly and proactively triage requests, clarify commissioning, coordinate responses and maintain the consistency and quality of advice are essential to this role.

Salary range: $100,296 - $121,490 per annum plus 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 the role, you’ll need to demonstrate initiative and a high degree of professional independence, self-discipline and remain calm under pressure, including when prioritising and balancing a variety of time-sensitive projects in addition to day-to-day obligations.

You will also be able to:

• Navigate ambiguity in a complex environment
• Proactively identify risk, and join up key issues and business functions.
• Analyse information received to identify emerging issues, associated risks and potential solutions and ensure they are brought to the CE’s and/or the Director’s attention.
• Act as a connector across the School Property team, using relationships to link operational developments to work portfolios and teams.
• Display a track record of excellent customer service focus and will be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships across a diverse group and gain their trust and respect.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

No two days will be the same in this role. You’ll be a team player, with keen interest to collaborate and support the team as needed. An ability to operate in a fast changing environment and supporting the development and use of new tools and systems is key.

This role is being advertised during a period of transition for the School Property team within the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) as they prepare to transition to become the New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA). 

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The School Property group plans, builds, and manages school properties to ensure they are safe, warm and dry. We oversee more than 2,100 primary and secondary state schools on 8,000 hectares of land with a value of $33.5 billion. It’s the second largest social property portfolio in New Zealand, and one of the largest overall.   

The New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA) will be established as a Crown entity, to manage, plan, build, maintain and administer the education property portfolio. This is expected to happen by no later than 1 November 2026 now that the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Act 2026 - Ministry of Education has passed.

Once established, the NZSPA will be responsible for planning, building, maintaining and administrating the school property portfolio. Decisions on education policy, network and roll growth, including which schools will receive additional teaching spaces, will remain with the Ministry of Education. 

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 19th August 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.