Director Transformation and Transition | Wellington | Permanent
Job Description
- Represent the Technology leadership team and provide strategic leadership across platform and infrastructure transformation within a major public service modernisation programme
- Partner with the Technology leadership team to shape how MSD manages coexistence, transition, and the shift from delivery to long-term operation of new digital platforms
- Ensure planning and delivery across transformation, run ahead design and Technology are aligned and formally brought to the Technology leadership team for visibility and endorsement
This is a senior, highly influential role responsible for ensuring MSD’s technology platforms and infrastructure are aligned, ready, and able to support both today’s services and future digital platforms through a complex multi‑year transformation.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
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.
Our Technology group 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. The group 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 | Mō te tūnga:
As Director Transformation and Transition, you will provide strategic leadership to integrate Platforms and Infrastructure into MSD’s Services for the Future programme, ensuring a coordinated, consistent, and future‑focused approach across delivery, transition, and operating model evolution
You will directly represent the Technology LT and act as the key connection point between Technology and the wider transformation programme, ensuring priorities, sequencing, risks, and dependencies are clearly understood and actively managed.
A core focus of the role is leading the transition from delivery into sustainable run and operate models for new digital platforms, while maintaining the stability and continuity of existing environments.
You will lead across critical transformation activities including run‑ahead design, coexistence planning, and the safe, sequenced exit from heritage systems—ensuring MSD can confidently operate both current and future platforms throughout the transformation journey
Working closely with platform and capability leaders, you will ensure capability, capacity, and ways of working evolve in step with programme needs, positioning Technology for long-term success.
A key focus of the role is leading the transition from delivery into sustainable run and operate models for new digital platforms while maintaining the stability of existing environments. You will work closely with platform and capability leaders to ensure MSD has the right capability, capacity and practices in place as systems evolve.
Please note: This role is based in our Wellington National Office.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead the integration of Platforms and Infrastructure into Services for the Future transformation
- Provide strategic leadership across run-ahead design, coexistence, transition planning and heritage system exit
- Ensure platform delivery is coordinated with clear visibility of risks, dependencies and readiness
- Lead operating model transition from delivery to run / operate for new digital platforms
- Partner with platform and capability leaders to align transition activities with capability uplift
- Represent Technology leadership in transformation forums, supporting decision-making across sequencing, risk and readiness
We’re committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team.
Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
- Extensive senior leadership experience in large, complex technology or transformation environments
- Proven leadership of enterprise-scale transformation, including transition coexistence, and legacy system exit
- Significant experience shaping platform and infrastructure strategy within digital or technology environments
- Demonstrated capability leading operating model evolution—from delivery through to stable run and operate environments
- Strong experience in transition planning, run-ahead design, and managing coexistence between legacy and modern platforms
- Ability to influence at executive level and represent Technology in enterprise-wide decision forums
- Highly developed judgement across risk, readiness, and trade-offs to support safe and effective transformation outcomes
- Proven ability to build alignment across senior stakeholders, delivery teams, and partners
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Director Transformation and Transition position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $163,429.00 - $217,905.00
A salary offer will be based on the preferred candidates skills and experience and our team relativities.
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 28 June 2026.
About us | Mō mātou
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) 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 advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
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.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [email protected]
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Joining us | Ko te hono mai
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau 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.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.