Programme Manager
Education Workforce

The Programme Manager is responsible for planning and managing various streams of work. They track the team’s work and maintain the overview of business objectives and how various projects fit or contribute to the programme.

The Programme Manager will also be ‘hands on’ involved in developing and delivering assigned aspects of the work programme.

Reports to: Senior Manager, Workforce Strategy and Planning

Purpose of the Ministry of Education

What / Our Purpose
We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
Why / Our Vision
Every New Zealander:
•Is strong in their national and cultural identity
•Aspires for themselves and their children to achieve more
•Has the choice and opportunity to be the best they can be
•Is an active participant and citizen in creating a strong civil society
•Is productive, valued and competitive in the world
New Zealand and New Zealanders lead globally
How / Our Behaviours:
•We get the job done
•We are respectful, we listen, we learn
•We back ourselves and others to win
•We work together for maximum impact
Great results are our bottom line

Key Priorities

  • Lead programme management applying programme / project management principles and systems.
  • Define and plan projects and programmes.
  • Ensure that the required resources are assigned for successful, cost effective and timely delivery.
  • Ensure programme budget is well planned, managed and allocated to priorities.
  • Establish and implement governance framework(s) for the work programme and projects within the programme.
  • Ensure pace of delivery meets ministry stakeholder and learner needs.
  • Drive and monitor the programme, identify risks and issues in advance and initiate appropriate corrective and preventative actions ensuring performance against goals.
  • Review systems and structures and identify better ways of working (systems and design thinking).
  • Plan, evaluate and improve efficiency of business process and procedures to enhance speed, quality, effectiveness and output.
  • Maintain oversight of work commissioned across the group and out to other groups across the Ministry.
  • Work with internal and external stakeholders to co-create and deliver initiatives relating to the education workforce.

Key relationships

The Programme Manager has strong working relationships with members of the Early Learning and Student Achievement (ELSA) group and the wider Ministry, as well as the following external relationships:

  • A range of contacts in the early childhood and school sector.
  • Other government agencies; Education Council, New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
  • Initial Teacher Educators (ITEs) and other stakeholders in teacher supply.
  • Education sector leaders and sector interest groups including unions and employer groups.

Skills and Attributes

  • A relevant tertiary qualification or other relevant discipline is desirable (post-graduate preferred).
  • Qualifications in project and programme management, eg, Managing Successful Programmes (MSP), PRINCE2, Agile Project Management.

Experience in:

  • Managing large scale programmes.
  • Establishing, leading and coordinating monitoring and programme evaluation activities.
  • Using evidence-based decision making and intervention logic.
  • Experience in leading with others to solve problems or complete tasks.
  • Planning, developing and implementing change initiatives, preferably at a national level.
  • Experience working with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Extensive experience working with programme / project management principles and systems.
  • Financial management and budgeting.
  • Reviewing systems and structures in their area and identifying better ways of working.
  • The machinery of government.