Help shape the future of Education
We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
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
This is an exciting time to join the Ministry of Education’s School Property group. We’re looking for a permanent, full-time specialist to support our Wellington regional front-line staff who engage with schools, suppliers, communities and other stakeholders.
As a Senior Engagement Advisor, you’ll be part of the wider School Property communications and egagement team. You’ll work alongside colleagues leading communications and engagement in other regions as well as nationally. You’ll provide engagement advice and implementation for key pieces of work in the greater Wellington region, and you will be based in our Lower Hutt office with some time also spent in the Wellington office. A small amount of travel may also be required.
While your role will have a Wellington regional focus, you’ll also be expected to be flexible and to pick up some national work or to help out your colleagues across the regions so that the team as a whole delivers what is needed.
Salary range: $100,296 - $121,490 per annum + KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.
For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.
About you | Mōhou ake
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Engagement Advisor who is a self-starter, who can develop and manage a busy work programme, connect with the wider team and flag any issues that arise. Above all you will offer calm, expert engagement advice and you’ll have mature relationship skills that mean you can engage effectively with a wide range of diverse stakeholders. You’ll also need to be able to turn your hand to producing the materials needed to support engagement, including drafting engagement plans and preparing the communications materials. You will be proactive in identifying engagement risks and working with the rest of the team to manage these.
You’ll need to be a good, plain language writer and deliver high quality work to agreed due dates. You’ll also need strong interpersonal skills and resilience to understand and adapt to other priorities within the organisation and the wider environment.
You will also offer the ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
If you’d like to bring your skills to a challenging but rewarding role within an organisation that’s continuously reaching goals and striving for a better future for New Zealand, we’d love to hear from you.
About our 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.
We have a responsibility to invest in property solutions that demonstrate value for money while still delivering the right outcome for our schools and kura. Demand for new or improved school property across the country is high, and the way we meet these needs is to do so more efficiently. We have set financial and timeliness targets for our programme, and we’re looking to improve our planning and delivery, as well as working proactively and collaboratively with schools and the construction sector. This will ensure that our property projects deliver value and are part of an affordable and deliverable programme of works.
The School Property group is led by a Functional Chief Executive for School Property, who reports directly to the Minister for Education. In July 2025 the Government announced it will establish a Crown agent to manage school property, to be called the New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA). Implementation of the NZSPA is expected in 2026, subject to the legislation being passed.
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 Cushla Managh, Manager Communications and Engagement at cushla.managh@education.govt.nz
Applications close Midnight – Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
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.
