Manager Capability Design & Systems

• Lead out on the development of learning pathways that shape organisation-wide capability
• Influence strategy and drive impact in a complex frontline environment
• Grow your team while building future-focused, digital learning solutions

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As National Manager Capability – Design and Systems, you will lead the design and implementation of a modern, organisation-wide learning approach that has a real impact on people's learning pathways and organisational performance.

You will design modern, engaging and digitally enabled products that help employees build capability and thrive. Leading a talented team, you will work closely with senior leaders to influence how learning is designed and embedded across the organisation. You will understand the importance of system thinkings and help shape the development of a unified capability system (as part of a unified people system).

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about meaningful learning design, values inclusion and Te Ao Māori perspectives, and wants to build a strong, future-focused learning culture while making a tangible difference.

Mōu | About you

You are a strategic and collaborative leader with a passion for designing impactful learning that makes a real difference. You bring strong experience working in complex, frontline environments and know how to translate organisational needs into practical, engaging capability solutions. With a people-focused approach, you're confident influencing senior stakeholders, leading teams, and driving continuous improvement. You are also committed to embedding Te Ao Māori, inclusion, and cultural capability into everything you do, ensuring learning is meaningful, relevant, and future-focused.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be successful for this role you will need

• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to lead and grow high-performing teams in fast-paced, complex environments.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering strategic capability or learning initiatives, with evidence of organisational uplift and impact.
• Strong expertise in learning design, including multi-modal and digital approaches, with experience using e-learning platforms (e.g. Articulate, Adobe Suite).
• Ability to influence and collaborate across a wide range of stakeholders, including navigating sensitive or high-profile environments.
• Strong understanding of Te Ao Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi, with the ability to embed cultural capability, inclusion, and diversity into learning design and delivery.

Ngā painga | The benefits

The midpoint of the salary range is $171,226 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $145,543 - $205,472 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Mō mātou | About us

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. 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 21st June 2026

If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact ***email_hidden***, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.