- Lead service delivery of 2,500 schools and 4,500 early learning providers nationwide
- Set direction and influence outcomes as part of the Executive Leadership Team
- Drive system-wide reforms with real impact on equity, access, and achievement
- Wellington location preferred (alternate locations considered)
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.
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 being focused 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
The Hautū | Deputy Secretary, Te Mahau | Education Services provides strategic leadership and direction to a significant number of geographically spread staff (approx. 2,500 across 12 regions), delivering Ministry education services to ensure a high-performing network of education settings. The services delivered through this group support the impactful and effective operation of education settings, across early learning providers, schools, and kura, removing barriers to learning and supporting student achievement and participation. This role is akin to a Chief Operating Officer for the Ministry.
The Hautū | Deputy Secretary, Te Mahau | Education Services is accountable for leading the Ministry’s service delivery, including advice, guidance, brokering, and direct delivery of education and management support. They are accountable for maintaining a system-level view of school performance and ensuring the Ministry takes timely action to improve performance (through a range of statutory and non-statutory levers) where necessary. The Hautū | Deputy Secretary, Te Mahau | Education Services holds the authority to exercise statutory powers and intervene in the operation of education settings where necessary, to support learner outcomes.
The purpose of this role is twofold: both as an executive, enterprise leader supporting the Secretary for Education in leading the agency’s direction and performance; and to provide visible and effective leadership and strategic direction to the functions and people of the Education Services group. This includes leading the delivery of the Ministry’s frontline services to early learning providers, schools, and kura, so that learners can transition from early learning to primary, secondary, and tertiary or vocational studies and/or into employment. They will work closely with other parts of the Ministry to engage with a range of children, young people, and their whānau.
As a member of the Ministry’s Executive Leadership Team, this role contributes to whole-of-Ministry leadership and decision-making. As the senior leader for Education Services, this role supports the Secretary in leading the Education Services group and is accountable for the group’s overall operational efficiency and effectiveness. This includes driving initiatives and outcomes aligned to Government priorities and delivering public value.
About you | Mōhou ake
To be successful in this position, you will be an executive leader with a proven record of delivering at scale in complex, politically sensitive environments. Resilient, credible, and collaborative, you will be comfortable balancing frontline delivery with long-term system improvement. You will bring the gravitas to engage confidently with Ministers, media, and sector leaders, alongside the operational skill to ensure services reach the learners and communities who need them most. As a natural system steward, you will thrive in an enterprise leadership role, working closely with peers at the executive table.
You will bring:
- Extensive executive leadership experience in large, high-profile service delivery organisations.
- A strong track record of operating under political, public, and media scrutiny.
- Proven ability to lead dispersed, complex operations and deliver consistent results nationwide.
- Sophisticated relationship management skills, credible with Ministers, sector leaders, and cross-agency partners.
- Strategic and operational balance, able to respond decisively to immediate challenges while driving long-term system change.
- Resilience, judgement, and presence to represent the Ministry nationally and internationally.
- 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.
Alternatively, for further information, please copy and paste the below URL into your browser to access the candidate pack for this position. The lead consultant for this assignment at IN SIDE Recruitment is Scott King.
https://www.inside.co.nz/ministry-of-education-ds-education-services
Applications close 5pm Wednesday 8th October 2025.
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.
