Team Leader, Recruitment

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

We’re looking for a Team Leader who can bring people together and keep our recruitment operations running smoothly. In this role, you’ll guide a group of recruiters to deliver high‑quality, timely, and inclusive recruitment support to managers across the Ministry.

As a people leader, you will guide your team, oversee day‑to‑day workflow, and step in on complex or critical roles when needed. You’ll work closely with hiring managers and wider HR teams to strengthen recruitment practice, improve hiring capability, and ensure we continue to provide an excellent candidate experience that reflects our organisational values and expectations.

The role focuses on:

• Leading, coaching and supporting a team of recruiters to deliver consistent, high quality recruitment services.
• Providing guidance and escalation support on complex or senior recruitment, ensuring fair, transparent and timely hiring processes.
• Building capability by coaching managers on best‑practice, evidence‑based recruitment and selection.
• Overseeing workload, service delivery and performance expectations across the team.
• Using data, insights and trends to inform recruitment decisions, identify risks, and improve processes and candidate care.
• Supporting the development of sourcing strategies and talent pipelines that attract diverse, high quality talent aligned with the communities we serve.

This is a fixed‑term role until December 2026, based in Wellington.

Salary: $98,056 - $122,570 (midpoint) 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

You will be a hands‑on operational leader who brings a team together, focuses on service delivery, and creates a positive, high performing environment. To be successful in this role, you will work collaboratively with hiring managers and wider HR teams, building strong relationships across the organisation and offering clear, practical recruitment advice.

You will also offer:

• Proven experience leading and developing a recruitment team in a large or complex organisation.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to uplift capability in others.
• Confident in advising on sourcing strategies, assessment methods and recruitment best practice.
• Experience using recruitment/HRIS systems and data to guide decisions and improve how the team operates.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and work in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A commitment to fair, consistent recruitment processes and delivering an excellent candidate experience.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake 

Te Pou Rangatōpū | Corporate business group has two key roles which operate together: 

• keeping the Ministry safe by delivering essential Ministry-wide statutory and corporate functions and,   
• delivering improvements to how the Ministry works, so we can achieve our priorities and support the Ministry to deliver the current Government’s priorities.

The team sits within the People, Sustainability and Place division responsible for delivering people services to attract, develop and retain talent, with sustainability, security, property and facilities, travel and fleet functions. Recruitment Services is one of the enabling functions which provides advice and delivers on recruitment and talent needs.

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.

For further information, please contact Anne Marie Taggart, General Manager, People, Sustainability and Place on AnneMarie.Taggart@education.govt.nz.

Applications close Midnight, on Friday 3rd April 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.