Senior Manager, Tertiary System Performance Analysis

Date advertised : 22 Oct 2025

Job Type : Permanent

Location : Wellington, NZ

Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

This is a full‑time permanent role based in Wellington.

Are you interested in influencing policy priorities for New Zealand’s education system? Do you have a passion for ‘big picture’ analysis and advice? Are you looking for complex, interesting and varied work that develops your career? If you answer yes to these, this could be the role for you!

• Influence priority education areas for Government and work within a collegial and supportive team culture.
• Lead the Tertiary System Performance Analysis team in our Te Pou Kaupapahere, the Ministry’s policy group.

The Tertiary System Performance Analysis team supports tertiary education policy with relevant, quality and timely evidence and data on the tertiary education system. The work programme includes analytical support for policy work, in‑depth research pieces, regular statistical reporting and monitoring of sector performance, and forecasts and models to inform budgets and costings. It spans all aspects of the tertiary education system, including access, achievement, investment, quality, and post‑study outcomes, often focusing on key population and learner groups.

This role will suit an experienced people leader, with strong leadership capability, excellent relationship management skills, and public sector experience in a management or senior advisory role.

Your role will be to :

You’ll join a supportive management team and a policy shop that is driven to make a difference for Aotearoa.

Salary range : $142,856 – $214,284 per annum + 3% KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

About you | Mōhou ake

In return, we can offer you the opportunity to contribute to a high‑profile, challenging and ambitious agenda for change, a strong focus on the development of our people, and the ability to inform and influence policy direction.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Collectively, Te Pou Kaupapahere are responsible for whole‑of‑system, end‑to‑end policy integration covering early learning, compulsory schooling, and tertiary including Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific and Learning Support and international education policy. We hold the relationship with all education Ministers and provide integrated policy advice to them. We collaborate across government organisations so our advice to Ministers is joined up.

We work to develop strong internal relationships as well as working closely with other central education agencies and other parts of the government. We use high‑quality research and evidence of what works and are informed by knowledge held by our frontline colleagues.

Our group works closely with other groups across the Ministry of Education, and together we hold relationships with iwi, hapū, hapori and Māori peak bodies, that support the development of policy that honours te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We hold the regulatory stewardship function, taking a whole‑of‑system, lifecycle view across for the entire education system, as well as for each regulatory subsystem.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply’ 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 Katrina Sutich, General Manager, Tertiary Policy at

Applications close Midnight Thursday 13 November 2025

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.

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