General Manager, Curriculum Implementation and Integration

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, Curriculum Implementation and Integration is a senior leadership role within Te Poutāhū | Curriculum Centre. You will lead the strategic integration of curriculum products, services and delivery, ensuring a cohesive and responsive experience for the education sector.
  
You will develop Te Poutāhū's strategic approach to delivering curriculum and assessment products and services into the sector, working with other partners to ensure implementation is coordinated, effective and aligned to sector needs.
  
A key focus is ensuring curriculum, assessment, products and services are connected across portfolios and informed by insights from educators, learners and communities. You will oversee the forward view of sector delivery, monitor product and service effectiveness, and use evidence to inform future priorities.
  
You will also drive cross-cutting strategies, champion innovation, and help shape future approaches that strengthen system performance.  Balancing long-term strategic thinking with a strong focus on delivery, operating with sound judgement and resilience in a dynamic, highly visible environment.
  
About you | Mōhou ake
You are an experienced, influential leader with a proven track record of delivering complex programmes and driving improvement across large organisations or systems, combined with a strong understanding of effective teaching and learning practice.
  
As a people leader, you build a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture and invest in the growth of others. You are highly collaborative and politically astute, using evidence to inform decisions and build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.  You will be motivated by ensuring every learner has the foundations they need to succeed.
  
You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex organisation or system environment
• Experience developing and delivering integrated strategic and operational plans, including budget and resource oversight
• A strong track record of leading organisational change and continuous improvement with measurable results
• Experience designing, implementing and improving organisational systems, frameworks and processes
• Strong strategic planning, integration and performance management capability
• Proven ability to use data and insights to inform system-level decision making
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, including with Māori and iwi and senior decision-makers
• Sound understanding of government processes and politically aware environments
• Experience building inclusive, high-performing teams
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in educational system design
• Willingness to uphold the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct

About the group | Mātau rōpū ake
Te Poutāhū, the Curriculum Centre, leads the national curricula for Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on excellent and equitable outcomes for learners. We bring together curriculum, teaching expertise and evidence to develop and review inclusive curricula, assessment and NCEA — with strengths across te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori, disability and inclusive learning support.
  
Key functions include: New Zealand Curriculum and Te Whāriki, Curriculum Integration, Māori Medium, Te Uepū Reo Māori, Qualifications and Pathways, and Sector Engagement.
  
Ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
This is an opportunity to help shape the future of education in Aotearoa New Zealand and make a lasting impact on learner success. If you are an experienced leader passionate about foundational learning and system improvement, we would like to hear from you.
  
This recruitment is managed exclusively by Rothley. Please email [email protected] for a copy of the position description or contact 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 Friday 25 September 2026.