Practice Manager

Strategic leadership role with national impact
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the IST Group by aligning practice development with organisation goals while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Collaborate closely with senior leaders and stakeholders

Lead the strategy and delivery of our Capability and Coordination Practice within the Improvement Systems and Technology (IST) Group, driving transformation and capability uplift across the group.

**About our team | Mo te tima**:
Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.

Information Systems & Technology (IST) provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services, today and into the future.

We're driving a once in a lifetime transformation of services for New Zealanders. IST is a key enabler of this change bringing together strategic thinkers, technology specialists and delivery leaders to design solutions and deliver change while keeping vital services running reliably every day.

**About the role | Mo te tunga**:
This is an important leadership role where your mahi will be deeply connected to our delivery commitments.

You'll work closely with senior leaders to translate strategy into action, build people frameworks, and lead initiatives that enhance employee experience and leadership capability across IST.

**Key responsibilities include**:

- Lead the Capability & Coordination Practice, building professional capability and driving continuous improvement across IST.
- Operationalise strategies that uplift leadership capability across IST, translating strategy into practical objectives and pathways.
- Create a positive employee experience, ensuring wellbeing, engagement, and growth.
- Provide expert guidance, coaching, and support to staff, fostering capability uplift and continuous improvement.
- Champion the adoption of frameworks (e.g. SFIA) and tools (e.g. Skillsoft) to support capability uplift and professional development across all IST.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Support recruitment, career development, and performance management processes, ensuring consistency across IST.

Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.

**What you bring | Ou pumanawatanga**:

- A mix of strategic thinking, people leadership, and operational expertise, with a strong understanding of HR practices.
- Extensive experience in people leadership.
- Deep professional knowledge in specialisms relating to process improvement of a practice and a strong understanding of relevant processes, methods and tools.
- Strong understanding of agile methodologies and proven experience collaborating effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Excellent facilitation skills, supporting effective teamwork across organisational boundaries and professional specialisms.
- Track record of influencing others and improving workforce culture.
- Deep understanding of recruitment and people processes.
- Resilient and confident leading through change.

**Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tunga**:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Practice Manager Capability and Coordination position description

**Salary | Utu-a-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00**

**Applications close | Ka kati nga tono hei te: Monday 20 October 2025.**

**About us | Mo matou**:
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whanau and communities.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

**Note**:Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

**Joining us | Ko te hono mai**:
Joining MSD means being part of a whanau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.

We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.