Practice Lead

• Lead the evolution of Test Engineering and quality practices across MSD's Technology Group. 
• Shape modern automation frameworks, engineering standards, and sustainable quality practices. 
• Develop a community of skilled practitioners while remaining connected to the technical craft. 

We are seeking a Practice Lead with strong practitioner-based experience and an engineering craft mindset for testing. You will bring hands-on expertise in modern test engineering tools and frameworks, with experience designing, building and operating test automation as production level software. 

You will combine technical leadership with strong people and stakeholder skills, helping to build practice capability, improve ways of working and support consistent, high-quality delivery. 

About our team | Mō te tīma

Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.  

Our Technology group provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services, today and into the future. 

We’re driving a once in a lifetime transformation of services for New Zealanders. The group is a key enabler of this change bringing together strategic thinkers, technology specialists and delivery leaders to design solutions and deliver change while keeping vital services running reliably every day. 

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As Practice Lead, Quality Assurance, you'll play a key role in growing MSD's Test Engineering capability and ensuring consistent, high-quality engineering practices are embedded across the Technology Group. 

You'll lead and develop people across the Quality Assurance practice while actively contributing to the ongoing evolution of testing methodologies, automation frameworks, engineering standards, and ways of working. 

Working closely with the Practice Manager, delivery teams, and engineering leaders, you'll help build the capability, tools, methodologies, and communities needed to support quality technology outcomes at scale. You'll influence how quality is engineered into delivery, support continuous improvement, and help ensure our practices remain aligned with emerging technologies and industry trends. 

This Wellington-based role combines technical leadership, practice leadership, and people leadership, making it an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about building both capability and engineering excellence. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Lead, coach, and mentor Quality Assurance practitioners to build capability, performance, and mastery of craft. 
• Drive the development and continuous improvement of Test Engineering methodologies, standards, and quality practices. 
• Provide technical leadership across automation frameworks, tooling, engineering approaches, and quality engineering disciplines. 
• Influence and support the adoption of modern testing practices, automation, DevOps, and continuous delivery. 
• Partner with delivery teams and stakeholders to embed consistent quality engineering approaches across products and services. 

We’re committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team. 

Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.  

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga

• Significant experience in Test Engineering, Quality Engineering, or Test Automation within large and complex technology environments. 
• Deep hands-on expertise with modern test engineering tools, frameworks  
• Proven experience designing, building, and maintaining test automation solutions as production-grade software. 
• A strong understanding of automation framework architecture, technical debt, maintainability, supportability, and CI/CD integration will enable you to provide credible technical leadership, coach and develop practitioners and embed sustainable quality engineering practices across the organisation. 
• Demonstrated experience leading or coaching and mentoring testing teams or communities of practice, driving consistency, quality, and engineering excellence. 
• Experience influencing and embedding modern testing, automation, and quality engineering practices across multiple teams. 
• Strong understanding of Agile delivery, DevOps practices, and continuous improvement methodologies. 
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for a range of audiences. 
• Experience with Playwright and Python, and a pragmatic approach to applying AI in testing, would be advantageous. 

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga

A copy of the position description can be found here. Practice Lead Quality Assurance position description. 

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $138,125.00 - $171,889.00

A salary offer will be based on the preferred candidates' skills and experience and our team relativities.  

Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Thursday 15th 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.