Senior Advisor, Operational Practice

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 role is a fixed term opportunity until 22 May 2026, to work in the Operational Practice team in School Property. This role is based in National Office, in Wellington but other locations may be considered.

As a Senior Advisor – Operational Practice, you will lead the development and implementation of operational practice, tools, resources and training to support successful delivery on Te Rautaki Rawa Kura – Property Strategy 2030, including:

• Leading the roll out of changes to policies, strategies, practices and training including critically assessing proposals and identifying the best way to achieve the desired outcomes.
• Writing practice guidance and communications to staff that is clear and concise
• Facilitating discussions to seek feedback on improvements and balancing differing views
• Supporting the analysis and reporting on business information, noting trends and recommending actions or strategies to address problem areas or take advantage of opportunities. 
• Provide the ‘frontline’ perspective and input into key projects within School Property and the wider Ministry, championing integration and alignment.

Salary range: $99,496 - $120,690 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 the Job Description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful in this role, you will be an energetic team player, capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously with strong organisational skills and attention to detail. You will be able to apply a critical lense to your work to ensure high quality outcomes for frontline staff, schools and students. You will be willing and eager to learn about School Property delivery and work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders from across the business.

You will also offer:

• Experience at a Senior Advisor level
• Experience supporting regional frontline teams
• Experience in project management and implementing process and practice changes
• Experience delivering projects to deadlines, working across business groups to ensure deliverables are produced on time.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across the business
• The ability to present complex issues clearly and concisely
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• The ability to critically assess a process or proposal and determine the best way to achieve the desired outcome
• The ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks effectively for a team where workloads can escalate quickly.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

You will be joining a motivated, solutions focused team, committed to implementing effective changes that empower frontline staff, schools, and students to succeed.  

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.

As part of the response to the Government’s decisions following the independent Ministerial Inquiry into School Property, the School Property group is now led by a Functional Chief Executive (FCE) for School Property, who reports directly to the Minister for Education. We also have put in place an improvement programme which responds to the Government's school property review recommendations.

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 Katelyn King, Team Leader, at katelyn.king@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Wednesday 11 June 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.