Senior Systems Owner

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE.

Looking for your next opportunity?

This role comes with plenty of challenge and potential for growth, whilst playing a key role in supporting the success of a critical government function :

Purposeful Work : Play a pivotal role in delivering reliable, secure, and efficient systems that support New Zealand's immigration services.

Growth & Challenge : Tackle complex problems, drive strategic change, and develop your leadership in a dynamic environment, particularly as we migrate off legacy systems to our strategic systems platform.

Supportive Culture : Be part of MBIE—a values-driven organization committed to inclusion, partnership, and continuous improvement.

Wellness & Flexibility : Enjoy wellness benefits, Kiwisaver, and a central Wellington location.

We value your wellbeing and work-life balance.

This Wellington-based permanent role (preference for Wellington but other locations considered upon agreement) has a salary range between $132k to $160k plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits.

What You'll Bring

Commitment to making a difference every day!

Expert knowledge in systems operation, integration, maintenance, and support.

Proven experience in ICT services planning and delivery at a senior level.

Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.

Ability to build relationships and influence outcomes.

Commitment to continuous improvement and staying ahead of technical changes.

NZ citizenship or permanent residency, plus ability to obtain a security clearance.

About the Role

The Senior Systems Owner, reporting to the INZ Systems Manager, is responsible for ensuring the delivery of a reliable, effective, and efficient portfolio of Immigration New Zealand (INZ) systems that support business services delivery in the maintain and operate space.

This role plays a pivotal part in shaping the strategic direction of INZ's technology landscape, ensuring systems remain fit-for-purpose, secure, and resilient in a dynamic business and operating environment.

Key Accountabilities

Leadership and Direction :

Lead the ongoing evolution of assigned INZ's systems portfolio, aligning technology capabilities with business priorities and future needs.

Drive planning and prioritisation to ensure systems remain responsive to operational and technological changes.

Operational Excellence and System Integrity :

Oversee the integrity, performance, and security of INZ's production systems and environments.

Oversee the operational health of systems, ensuring high availability, reliability, and scalability.

Portfolio Management :

Manage the lifecycle of allocated INZ systems, including planning, implementation, upgrades, and retirement.

Ensure systems are optimised to deliver value, meet compliance obligations, and support service delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration :

Act as a primary liaison between technical teams, business units, and external partners.

Foster strong relationships across INZ and Corporate Services to ensure system decisions are informed by business needs.

Risk Management and Compliance :

Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to system performance, security and continuity.

Ensure systems comply with relevant legislation, privacy standards, and security protocols.

Functional Responsibilities

Portfolio Technical and Operational Governance of systems and underlying platforms.

Assessing, monitoring and reporting on portfolio cost and system risk, and remediation.

Operational systems integrity, performance & strategy.

Systems maintenance planning and delivery across four-year and annual plans.

Governance and embedding of systems change into operation.

Vendor, service level, and contract management.

Disaster recovery planning and testing.

Skills and Experience Required

Expert knowledge in end-to-end system operation, integration, maintenance, enhancement and support across the system lifecycle.

Experienced in developing effective solutions to solve complex problems under time constraints.

Proven track record of leading the development and delivery of ICT strategic planning at a senior level in a medium to large public sector or business organisation.

Proven ability to remain up-to-date on key technical changes and opportunities in their specialist area and proactively use this to continuously improve INZ digital system services.

Demonstrated excellence in communication including the ability to translate complex issues from one level to another.

Proven ability to manage external relationships and use negotiation and influence to deliver strategic outcomes.

Proven problem-solving skills, being able to work through complex issues, using in-depth analysis in the context of the overall business and systems issues, and the judgement to select and apply / recommend appropriate decisions.

Must be a New Zealand citizen / permanent resident.

Candidates must consent to and satisfactorily complete a credit check.

Police vetting required as well as having the ability to obtain a Confidential level security clearance.

About MBIE

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours :

Maahi Tahi – Better Together

Maia – Bold and brave

Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future

Pone Me Te Tika – Own It

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Maori, other Maori groups / organisations and the Crown, ... (remaining Maori text).

• ...

How to Apply

Click here to view a position description.

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

Email Matt Guy at

Applications close on the 9th of November

#J-