Practice Lead, Performance

Job Description

Job Title: Practice Lead, Performance

Posting Start Date: 23/10/2026

Job Description:

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

• Lead the future of organisational and estimate 2028/29 (i.e. Budget 2028) / 2029/30 (i.e. Budget 2029) performance across the Ministry of Education, including reporting (i.e. annual reports and organisational score cards)

• Permanent, full-time, Wellington based

Are you a strategic performance leader with a passion for driving organisational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement? We have an opening for a Practice Lead, Performance to provide thought leadership and lead the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of the Ministry's performance management system. This is a unique opportunity to shape how performance is measured, monitored, and reported across a large and complex public sector organisation, helping ensure that decisions are informed by high-quality evidence, robust accountability frameworks, and a relentless focus on outcomes for learners and education communities. The Practice Lead, Performance, will be the Ministry's epicentre for performance management, reporting, and accountability frameworks. They will work in partnership with senior leaders, business groups, and specialist teams to develop and embed a consistent performance system that supports organisational success. The successful applicant will provide strategic leadership, expert advice, and practical guidance while building organisational capability through coaching, mentoring, training, and thought leadership. And, play a key role in strengthening performance reporting, government accountability processes, and evidence-based decision making. Key responsibilities of the role include;

• Leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Ministry's organisational performance and outcomes framework

• Establishing and maintaining an integrated performance management ecosystem that links organisational performance, investment performance, planning, reporting, and monitoring activities

• Ensuring performance reporting is meaningful, accurate, timely, and supports executive and governance decision-making

• Leading the Ministry's performance reporting obligations, including external reporting and accountability requirements (e.g. annual report)

• Designing and establishing best-practice external reporting, including annual reporting requirements

• Providing expert advice on performance measurement, targets, indicators, intervention logic, and outcomes frameworks

• Lead performance analysis activities, including forecasting, modelling, trend analysis, and insights generation

• Build capability across the organisation through coaching, mentoring, quality assurance, and knowledge sharing

• Identifying risks, driving solutions, and supporting effective decision making across complex organisational challenges

Applications are welcomed from experienced performance professionals who are ready to lead change, influence strategy, and strengthen organisational performance at scale. Salary range: $120,171 - $145,560 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 strategic and critical thinker who thrives on solving complex challenges and improving organisational performance. You will bring strong leadership capability, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and a collaborative approach to achieving results. You’ll also demonstrate:

• A proven ability to bring people together and lead through influence

• Strong coaching and mentoring capability

• Confidence engaging with senior leaders, central agencies, and key stakeholders

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to tailor messages for diverse audiences

• A track record of delivering high-profile, high-stakes work in complex environments

• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and sound judgement

• High levels of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and professionalism

• An ongoing commitment to personal and professional development

• The ability to anticipate challenges, prioritise effectively, and deliver to deadlines

• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake This is an opportunity to join the team that makes a significant impact across the Ministry by shaping the frameworks, systems, and practices that drive organisational performance and accountability. You will work with fun, dedicated and ‘passionate about their job’ colleagues, who excel at influencing strategic outcomes, and contribute daily to improving educational outcomes for New Zealanders. Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi? If this opportunity interests you, please submit your Resume and Cover Letter by using the ‘Apply now' 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 Fiona O’Leary, General Manager Strategy & Performance at: Fiona.Oleary@education.govt.nz Applications close at 11.59pm on Thursday, 05 November 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.