Strategic Design Lead

• Permanent role based at National Office in Wellington

• Lead the ongoing development and support the incremental delivery of MSD’s Delivery Operating Model 

• Turn strategic direction into an integrated view of future service delivery 

• Guide a specialist team and align complex design decisions across transformation work 

About our team | Mō te tīma

New Zealand is changing, and so are we. MSD is transforming to build a smarter, simpler, more responsive welfare system. 

This is a rare opportunity to help shape a once-in-a-generation transformation to deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders. Join a multidisciplinary team driving people-led, technology-enabled change at scale. 

Business Service Design sits within the Transformation Group and helps turn MSD’s future direction into clear, connected and practical designs. The team works across transformation and the wider organisation to bring together customer, service, process, workforce and technology perspectives, supporting decisions that are aligned, evidence informed and ready to move towards delivery. 

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As Strategic Design Lead, you will lead the development, maintenance and evolution of MSD’s Delivery Operating Model. You will translate strategic direction into practical operating model design, connecting service, business, workforce, process and technology considerations to create a cohesive future-state view. 

As custodian of the Delivery Operating Model, you will lead a small specialist team and work across programmes, business groups and subject matter experts. You will guide design outputs, test proposed changes against future-state objectives, identify impacts and trade-offs, and support informed governance and investment decisions. 

Additionally, you will also have the opportunity to

• Champion and maintain the integrity of MSD's Delivery Operating Model, ensuring transformation initiatives align to the model and that any changes are considered, coordinated and intentionally managed. 
• Work across MSD's major transformation initiatives, influencing decisions, resolving complex design challenges and building alignment across diverse stakeholder groups. 
• Develop and grow enterprise design capability, mentoring specialists and contributing to a culture of collaboration, learning and continuous improvement. 

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga

 

• Experience leading service design, business design, business blueprinting, operating model design or a related discipline in a large or complex transformation programme.

• Expertise in leading cross-functional teams and delivering outcomes through influence and collaboration. 

• Experience establishing and embedding frameworks, methodologies or standards that support consistent delivery and decision making. 

• Strong facilitation skills and the ability to build alignment, resolve design issues and challenge constructively. 

• The ability to manage competing priorities, dependencies, risks and trade-offs across a complex work programme. 

• An established track record in strategic planning, operational management, project management, financial management and performance monitoring. 

• Hands on experience facilitating complex discussions and guiding governance decisions through clear analysis, options and recommendations. 

• A change mindset and proven ability to support people and maintain performance through change. 

• A commitment to embedding Te Ao Māori, Te Reo Māori, tikanga, kawa and Te Tiriti o Waitangi into the way we work. 

What’s in it for you | Nōu te rourou 

 

You will play a central role in defining how MSD’s future services will work in practice.

You will combine strategic influence with hands-on design leadership, guide a specialist team and create the shared design foundation that supports coordinated transformation decisions. 

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga

Strategic Design Lead, position description

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00

Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: 11.59 pm, 21 October 2026

About us | Mō mātou

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.

Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.

All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz

Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Joining us | Ko te hono mai

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.

We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.

If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.