Team Leader, National Programmes

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 Team Leader, National Programmes supports the Programme Manager to deliver programmes. The role is responsible for managing a small team of high performers who support delivery of projects and the external project managers who deliver them.

We want a complete people manager who genuinely cares for their team and seeing them succeed while successfully achieving delivery targets. 

The role does require a level of technical knowledge of buildings and infrastructure. The role will support the team when issues occur and provide mentoring and advice as well as supporting their performance and development. The Team Leader, National Programmes will provide ongoing support and advice to the Programme Manager and provide insights into performance and improvement opportunities, as well as providing critical data for reporting and future decision making. The role will oversee multiple delivery streams and tranches of projects.

Salary range: $121,139 – $181,709 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 will be:

• An excellent people manager who drives performance through positive reinforcement
• An excellent communicator with the ability to work with a diverse number of groups
• Have a strong background in delivery of infrastructure or construction projects
• Enjoys solving problems, and thrives in a pressured environment
• Be a collaborative and an enthusiastic team player.

You will also offer:

• Minimum of 5 years managing a high performing team
• High level of organisation with the ability identify trends and opportunities for improvement
• PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent qualification
• Track record of supporting your staff to succeed
• Love of a challenge, and a problem-solving customer centric approach to your work
• Supportive and positive attitude and passion for the work you do
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

The National Programmes team is a small team that has been delivering successful programmes of building improvements to all state schools across the country. The team is a high performing, trusted group who has been transforming school environments.

The team is friendly, has a common purpose and works with positivity and empathy where the improvement of learning environments for children is at the centre of all that we do.

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 agent, 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, 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 Steph Watts-Pointer, Programme Manager, Schools Innovation at Steph.WattsPointer@education.govt.nz

Applications close -  Midnight, Wednesday 26th September 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.