General Manager, Sector Advisory

General Manager, Sector Advisory
Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data
Strengthening Education
The Ministry of Education plays a critical role in shaping New Zealand's education system to deliver equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. We are reshaping how the Ministry is organised to sharpen our focus on core priorities, be outward-facing and evidence-led, and build a strong organisational culture. We are seeking exceptional leaders who can navigate complexity, lead change, and deliver meaningful outcomes for learners and educators across Aotearoa.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
The General Manager, Sector Advisory is a senior leadership role within Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data, reporting to the Hautū | Deputy Secretary. This is a sector-facing leadership position, acting as the key interface between the Ministry, the education sector, the Government Chief Digital and Data Advisor (GDDA), and wider government.  Connecting subject matter expertise from Te Pou Kōrero to sector representatives to respond to current needs and shape future direction.

You will be accountable for establishing and maintaining sector-level enterprise architecture, ensuring coherence, interoperability and alignment with government standards, and will manage the strategic relationship with key sector delivery partners including Network for Learning (N4L), Netsafe and REANNZ.

This role also holds the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) function, with accountability across the Ministry and extending to leading and influencing the wider education sector.  Ensuring robust security strategies, risk management, incident response and resilience across digital and data environments. As a member of the senior leadership team, you will influence system-wide direction and investment priorities, and foster collaboration across product, platform and business management functions.

About you | Mōhou ake
You are an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in digital, data, technology in multi-stakeholder environments.
You will bring:

• Extensive senior leadership experience in digital, data, technology or architecture roles within large, complex environments
• Proven experience operating in a sector-facing or system leadership role, influencing across organisational boundaries
• Significant experience in strategic advisory roles, shaping direction, priorities and investment decisions
• Deep understanding of enterprise architecture, including developing and governing architecture at organisational or sector level
• Expertise in information security, risk management and assurance, including experience at or supporting CISO level
• Strong knowledge of government digital, data and technology strategies and standards
• A proven track record of building trusted relationships with senior leaders across government, sector organisations and delivery partners
• Highly developed strategic thinking and systems leadership capability, navigating complexity and ambiguity
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in a public sector context
• Willingness to uphold the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct

About the group | Mātau rōpū ake
This role sits within Te Pou Kōrero | Digital and Data, the Ministry's business group responsible for digital and data strategy, technical direction, and system-wide capability. The group works closely with the education sector and delivery partners to ensure digital and data investment is coherent, secure and aligned with government direction.

Ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
If you're a strategic, sector-facing leader who can bring together architecture, security and advisory expertise to shape the future of digital and data across the education system, we want to hear from you.

This recruitment is managed exclusively by Rothley.  Please contact [email protected] for a position description or call Kirsty Brown on [021 660 757](tel:021 660 757) or Hannah Anderson on [027 637 1382](tel:027 637 1382) for a confidential conversation.

Please apply with an up-to-date CV and cover letter. Applications close Thursday 1 October 2026.  

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.