Senior IT Project Manager

• Shape the systems that support frontline staff in Ara Poutama and contribute to rehabilitation for People in our Care
• Deliver outcomes that directly contribute to public safety and operational continuity
• Lead complex initiatives across business-critical platforms
• Permanent opportunity based at our National Office in Wellington

Join our Offender Management Systems (OMS) team and play a key role in delivering and enhancing some of the most critical systems within Ara Poutama Aotearoa!

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We're looking for a Senior IT Project Manager to lead the delivery of complex initiatives within our Offender Management Systems portfolio, based at our Wellington National Office.

This is not a standard project delivery role. You will operate within a highly controlled, operationally sensitive environment, delivering improvements to systems that are central to how we manage people in our care.

These systems are:

• Business-critical and highly integrated
• Data-sensitive with strong privacy and integrity requirements
• Essential to frontline operations and service delivery

You will lead delivery across initiatives involving core platforms, integrations, data flows, and operational processes, ensuring solutions are robust, fit-for-purpose, and aligned to real-world needs.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex OMS initiatives from discovery through to implementation
• Shape delivery approaches to suit complex operational environments with a focus on employee experience and product enhancement
• Facilitate decision-making across competing operational and technical priorities
• Build strong, trusted relationships with stakeholders across operations, technology, and external partners
• Translate complex system and data concepts into clear, actionable insights
• Drive delivery outcomes across time, cost, quality, and operational impact
• Lead risk and issue management with a strong focus on service continuity and data integrity
• Contribute to programme governance, reporting, and investment planning

Mōu | About you

You are an experienced delivery leader who thrives in complex, high-consequence environments and you understand the difference between delivering digital tools and delivering core operational systems -  where accuracy, reliability, and continuity are critical. You don't just manage plans - you shape outcomes, influence decisions, and manage delivery risk in real-world environments.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience leading large-scale, complex system delivery
• Strong stakeholder influence, including engagement with operational business areas
• Experience navigating multi-vendor, integration-heavy environments
• Confidence working in ambiguity and driving clarity
• A strong appreciation of operational impacts, data quality, and system dependencies

Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience

• Proven delivery of complex IT/digital programmes from discovery through to implementation
• Experience delivering within business-critical systems (e.g. case management, offender management, or similar platforms)
• Strong understanding of integrations, data flows, system dependencies, and operational impacts
• Experience developing business cases, delivery roadmaps, and investment plans
• Strong governance experience, ideally within public sector environments
• Experience across a range of delivery methodologies, including Agile (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe), Waterfall, and PRINCE2, with the ability to apply the right approach to suit complex delivery environments
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and facilitation skills

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The midpoint of the salary range is $170,814 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $145,192 - $204,977 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections plays a critical role in improving public safety and reducing reoffending. Our Offender Management Systems are central to how we safely and effectively manage people in our care. This role contributes directly to the integrity, reliability, and ongoing evolution of these systems across Aotearoa.

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.

We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency - applications received via email will not be considered.

When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.

Applications close on: Sunday 6 September 2026, 11PM NZST.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [email protected], or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.