Senior Change Manager

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As a Senior Change Manager, you'll lead change strategies that support complex transformation initiatives across Defence Estate and Infrastructure (DEI), ensuring people are ready, engaged, and equipped to adopt new ways of working. This is an opportunity to influence the success of significant infrastructure and transformation programmes that support NZDF's operational capability and future estate needs. Working closely with programme teams and senior stakeholders, you'll help deliver sustainable change outcomes across NZDF.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead change management activities for major Defence Estate and Infrastructure programmes
• Assess business impacts and lead readiness activities that enable successful change adoption
• Coach and influence leaders and stakeholders through complex infrastructure change
• Develop engagement, communication and learning approaches that support transition and uplift capability
• Monitor outcomes, embed change, and help grow organisational change maturity across DEI

Once you have undergone training and are up to speed, there is the option for flexible working arrangements.

The salary for this role ranges from $126,827 - $140,268, inclusive of a 4% superannuation contribution. Appointments within this range are based on skills and experience.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

The Senior Change Manager role requires you to be an experienced Change Manager who is an expert in leading and embedding change, as you will be leading a change management capability uplift across DEI. Experience within construction, infrastructure, property, or asset management environments would be advantageous but is not essential.

To be successful in this role, you’ll also bring:

• Strong knowledge of change management methodologies and frameworks, including Prosci
• Significant experience delivering change within complex project and programme environments
• Proven ability to develop and implement change management, stakeholder engagement, communication, and learning plans
• Highly developed analytical, critical thinking, and strategic planning skills
• Experience applying change management frameworks within large, complex organisations undergoing transformation
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience working alongside senior leaders

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Applications close on Thursday 19 November 2026.

Use the links on this page where you’ll be directed to the Defence Careers website.

Please Note:

• All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description.
• Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.
• Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.

NZDF Employees/Members – please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.

NZDF Contractors – please apply via the Defence Careers website.

NZDF Reserves – please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.

Please Note:

To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here’s what you need to know:

Low Level Security Clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
• At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last five (5) years.
• You must have a five (5) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.

If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.