Hautū, Te Pou Taunaki | Deputy Secretary, Learning Support

Overview

Date advertised : 30 Sept 2025

Job Type : Permanent

Location : Wellington, NZ

The Ministry of Education plays a critical role in shaping New Zealand’s education system to deliver equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. Achieving excellence is about supporting every student to experience success at every stage of their learning journey from early learning and schooling, right through to tertiary, training and employment. A focus on equity is critical in the New Zealand context – it means recognising and responding to the diverse circumstances and needs of all our learners. We are reshaping the way the Ministry is organised to deliver on the goals of equity and excellence, by being focused on our core role, outward-facing, data-informed, and supportive of a strong organisational culture. We are seeking experienced and outstanding leaders who are driven, curious, open to different perspectives and adaptable to lead through system and organisational change.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

The Hautū | Deputy Secretary, Te Pou Taunaki | Learning Support provides strategic leadership and direction to enhance learning support services and outcomes within the Education Sector, responding to increasing complexity and Government priorities and expectations. As a member of the Ministry’s Executive Leadership Team, this role contributes to whole-of-Ministry leadership and decision-making, providing strategic leadership and direction across the organisation. The Hautū | Deputy Secretary, Te Pou Taunaki | Learning Support is accountable for leading national practice, design, and guidance for identifying and prioritising need, delivering targeted and tailored supports through a range of delivery models, and monitoring outcomes to ensure that students with diverse learning needs have equitable access to educational opportunities. As the senior leader for Learning Support, this role supports the Secretary in leading the Learning Support group, providing overarching national direction on the development of learning support services and strategies, and ensuring overall operational excellence and effectiveness. This includes ensuring that initiatives and outcomes align to Government priorities and deliver public value and maintaining effective relationships in the Learning support and disability sector. Internally they will work particularly closely with the Hautū | Deputy Secretary, Te Mahau | Education Services who is responsible for leading the Ministry’s specialist learning support delivery staff.

About you | Mōhou ake

You will be a senior leader with the vision, credibility, and resilience to transform one of the most complex and high-profile areas of the education system. With a proven ability to lead at scale, you will be comfortable navigating political and public scrutiny while keeping learners and whānau at the centre. You will bring the confidence to engage Ministers and the media, the mana to earn trust with disability and advocacy groups, and the strategic nous to deliver system-wide change. Not necessarily a career educationalist, you will nonetheless understand the education context and have the relational and leadership skills to shape national direction, influence across agencies, and govern a major transformation programme that matters deeply to Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Significant senior leadership experience in a large, complex public sector (or equivalent) environment.
• Credibility and trusted relationships within the disability, learning support, or related communities.
• Exceptional stakeholder and relationship management skills, able to influence across government, the education sector, advocacy groups, and international partners.
• Confidence and presence in high-stakes communication, from Ministers and media to conferences and sector forums.
• A proven track record of leading large-scale transformation, with the strategic capability to shape complex systems and drive sustainable change.
• The resilience, empathy, and decisiveness required to lead in a politically sensitive, high-profile environment.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to and promote the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About the group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Te Pou Taunaki | Learning Support group enables specific targeted and tailored support to students who have specific needs impacting their ability to participate in education and progress in their learning, ensuring the necessary resources and expertise is in place to assist with achievement and everyday life. The Group is accountable for providing functional leadership to all learning support services spanning national functions and regional delivery, delivered either in-house, by education providers or by other providers. The Group has three key priorities :

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

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your resume by using the ‘apply' button. Alternatively, for further information, please click on this link to access the candidate pack for this position. The lead consultant for this assignment at IN SIDE Recruitment is Scott King. Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 8th October 2025. We want our candidates 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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