Chief Executive Officer

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is the Crown Entity that ensures New Zealand qualifications are credible and respected, here and overseas. NZQA administers NCEA, quality assures non-university tertiary education and evaluates overseas qualifications. It works with schools, tertiary providers, industry and international partners to meet the changing needs of learners.

Reporting to the Board through the Chair, the Chief Executive provides strategic leadership for NZQA. The role sustains quality assessment and assurance services, and builds strong relationships with Ministers, the sector and international partners. The Chief Executive will also oversee significant change, including new senior secondary qualifications, a new Integrated Quality Assurance Framework (IQAF) and STEP, a $100 million technology replacement programme. The role leads approx. 460 staff and an annual budget of approx. $120 million.

NZQA seeks a leader with sound judgement and political sensitivity, able to hold the trust of stakeholders while delivering change and sustaining core services. Balancing innovation with regulation, championing client service and work with Māori as Treaty partners, will be crucial, as will advancing NZQA’s journey to become a te reo Māori learning organisation.

Success calls for credibility and proficiency in the following areas:

• Stakeholder Influence: Ability to build strong relationships with Ministers, senior officials and sector leaders, to align NZQA’s strategy with government education priorities, and to complement the work of other education agencies.
• Organisational Leadership: Experience leading a complex, operationally focused public sector organisation. Through recognised people leadership skills, strengthens capability, financial stewardship and risk management, and maintains stability through significant change.
• Transformation Delivery: Track record of sponsoring large technology and business change programmes, holding ultimate accountability for investment outcomes, and securing sector buy-in to reform.
• Sector Experience: Understanding of education, assessment or quality assurance systems. Works with diverse communities to address inequity and has a demonstrated ability to engage with Māori and appreciate mātauranga Māori.
• Personal Attributes: Demonstrates integrity, courage and resilience. Makes difficult decisions when needed, communicates complex ideas with clarity, and holds a personal commitment to educational equity.

Applications close: Wednesday, 18th November 2026

• For further enquiries, please contact either John Bell,02••• 586, ••••@taumata.co.nz or Naomi Widener, 02•••457, ••••@taumata.co.nz
• For more information on the key leadership dimensions of this role, please refer to the candidate pack available under the job listing via: https://taumata.co.nz/job/chief-executive/