- Lead strategy and delivery of digital and data services nationwide
- Shape innovation, cyber security, and future-focused digital capability
- Influence at the highest levels to improve outcomes for learners and whānau
- 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 Pou Kōrero, | Digital and Data provides strategic leadership and direction for deployment of Digital and Data that enables the Education Sector, including the Ministry.
The Hautū | Deputy Secretary, Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data is accountable for the digital and data strategy, supporting capability plans for key areas such as cyber and information security, information management, core technology, Artificial Intelligence, and other emerging technologies. The Hautū | Deputy Secretary, Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data is also accountable for end-to-end processes for design, architecture, and delivery of digital and data services and capabilities, and is the centre of expertise for evaluation and evidence. This includes working with other parts of the Ministry to leverage digital and data to transform the service delivery and make use of data and evidence to drive consistent improvement in achievement.
As the senior leader for digital and data oversight, this role supports the Secretary in leading the Digital and Data functions and group, providing overarching direction on the development and delivery of services and strategies, ensuring overall operational excellence and effectiveness, and helping the Ministry to leverage data to drive Ministry and sector outcomes. This includes ensuring that initiatives, evaluation, and outcomes align to government priorities and deliver public value.
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 Strategic Digital and Data, this role supports the Secretary in leading the Strategic Digital and Data group, ensuring its overall operational excellence and effectiveness. This includes ensuring that initiatives and outcomes align to government priorities and deliver public value.
About you | Mōhou ake
You will be a senior executive with the vision, credibility, and technical acumen to transform how digital and data solutions enable education in New Zealand. With experience delivering at scale in large, complex environments, you can move beyond operational Information and Communications Technology to set and deliver a bold, system-wide digital strategy. You will bring the confidence to engage Ministers and the mana to build trust with stakeholders across government, the education sector, iwi, and advocacy groups.
Equally comfortable negotiating investment decisions or exploring the potential of artificial intelligence, you combine deep strategic thinking with the resilience to lead through complexity. Collaborative by nature, you inspire large professional teams and will strengthen the Executive Leadership Team with your clarity and energy.
You will bring:
- Extensive executive leadership experience in large, complex organisations.
- A proven track record in planning, architecture, and delivery of data and digital services at scale.
- Experience setting digital strategies, including cyber security, data governance, and emerging technologies.
- Deep experience driving transformation, fostering innovation, and delivering sustainable change.
- Strong relationship and stakeholder management skills, credible across government, education, and international partners.
- Resilience, judgement, and collaborative style to lead in a politically sensitive environment.
- 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 Kōrero/ Digital and Data group sets the digital and data direction that enables modern, efficient, and seamless experience for those interacting with education services. The Group is accountable for the digital and data strategies and enabling capability plans, as well as maintaining the products and services. The Group provides overall leadership for development and implementation of integrated education and digital and data solutions working closely with other parts of the education sector and Ministry, enabled by a strong evaluation and evidence base.
The Group has both internal and external customers – with a strong focus on innovation by exploring new technologies and overseeing research, testing, and prototyping activities.
The Group has three key priorities:
- Sector digital and data delivery: Interfacing with Education expertise to bring innovative Digital and Data to support education outcomes. This includes monitoring emerging digital opportunities and working with the sector to improve solutions and their evaluation.
- Ministry digital and data operating model: Developing and implementing the Ministry’s digital and data strategy that guides prioritisation of digital and data investments and accelerates performance across the Ministry. This includes managing the digital and data portfolio in the context of education sector needs.
- Digital and data enabled strategic planning : Leading strategic planning for future needs and investments for the Education Sector, driven by sound evidence and evaluation capabilities. This includes leading the enterprise architecture and solutions that meet educational needs, complies with government standards, and utilises industry good practice.
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 Fraser Leith.
https://www.inside.co.nz/ministry-of-education--ds-digital-and-data
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.
