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Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
We are looking for a Senior Advisor to support the Chief Executive – School Property and their Office to ensure that School Property is well positioned to deliver on its objectives.*
This office works closely with parliamentary and external stakeholders so experience with political interface and knowledge of both the construction industry and the machinery of government is essential. The Senior Advisor is responsible for commissioning and coordinating quality and timely ministerials (e.g. correspondence, OIA requests, Information Parliamentary Questions) as well as facilitating whole-of-group advice to support School Property requests, and priority queries & responses. A willingness to rapidly and proactively triage requests, clarify commissioning, coordinate responses and maintain the consistency and quality of advice are essential to this role.
You’ll need to demonstrate initiative and a high degree of professional independence, self-discipline and remain calm under pressure, including when prioritising and balancing a variety of time-sensitive projects in addition to day-to-day obligations. A proven ability to navigate ambiguity in a complex environment is required, as is a knowledge and understanding of the Chief Executive for School Property’s work commitments and priorities to proactively join up key issues, risks and school property business functions. You’ll be able to analyse information received to identify emerging issues, associated risks and potential solutions and ensure they are brought to the CE’s and/or the Director’s attention.
This role will act as a connector across the School Property team, using relationships to link operational developments to work portfolios and teams. You will have a track record of excellent customer service focus and will be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. You’ll be able to establish and maintain strong relationships across a diverse group and gain their trust and respect.
No two days will be the same in this role. You’ll be a team player, with keen interest to collaborate and support the team as needed. An ability to operate in a fast-changing environment, supporting the development and use of new tools and systems is key, and a knowledge of School Property and ministerial systems (Oracle Fusion, K2, ProcureEd, METIS, Orbit) to assist the business is preferred.
Salary range: $99,496 - $120,690 per annum + 3% kiwisaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary based on their individual skills and experience.
For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here Senior Advisor - Office of the CE School Property
About you | Mōhou ake
Ideally, you will have significant experience within the public and construction sectors, and knowledge/experience in an education setting would be of benefit.
You will also offer:
- Ability to drive and maintain information flows across all parts of School Property, the wider Ministry, Ministers’ offices, and external stakeholders.
- Proven experience proactively managing and facilitating confidential and time-sensitive information.
- A willingness to respond where there is urgency, complexity and sensitivity.
- Experience working within a large government organisation and the construction industry.
- Experience liaising with internal and external stakeholders across Minister’s offices, government agencies and the public sector, with a high degree of professionalism.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to calmly and effectively respond to changing or complex situations.
- Exceptional time management, attention to detail and organisational skills, as well as experience juggling concurrent deadlines and competing priorities.
- The ability to build and maintain strong relationships across a diverse group of contacts.
- The ability to quickly establish and maintain a high level of trust and confidence both internally and with external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and effectively manage risks to ensure delivery, minimising impacts.
- Understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and its implications for the work of the Ministry.
- Tertiary qualification or relevant job experience required.
- The ability to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
You will also contribute:
- An innovative and adaptable “can do” attitude, and the ability to be proactive and anticipate the needs of the CE and team.
- Political awareness and knowledge of government processes, with an ability to navigate ambiguity in a complex environment.
- Timely decision making in often a high pressure and volatile environment.
You will be joining a team who are passionate about changing the way we work to improve the quality of school property, and committed to building transparent, ongoing partnerships that enable us to respond to the Government's school property review recommendations.
About our ministry, group, and team | Mātau rōpū ake
The School Property group manages one of the largest property portfolios in Aotearoa New Zealand, composed of over 2,100 primary and secondary state schools and over 8,000 hectares of land with a carrying value of $33.5 billion. Our team is responsible for the portfolio, including school engagement, asset management, capital works delivery, investment planning and portfolio management.
The Office of the CE – School Property is responsible for business management of the group, risk and issue management, oversight of provision of corporate information, the operating model of the Group and supporting the CE and leadership team.
Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and CV by using the ‘apply' button below. In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa or anything you'd like to share about your cultural identity. We're keen to know your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.
For further information, please contact Jerome Sheppard, Chief Executive – School Property at Jerome.sheppard@education.govt.nz
Applications close midnight on Tuesday 6 May 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.
