Job Description
Full job description
Programme Change Lead!
Based at Police National Headquarters, Wellington
Grade 21
Police Employee
Fixed Term – 12 months
NAV
JR 5547516
E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.
Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face
Mō te tūnga | About the role
As a Programme Change Lead within the Delivery Capability team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering strategic change across NZ Police. The Change Lead position ensures a clear sequence of change across a large programme of work, you will guide multiple workstreams, influence senior stakeholders, lead a change team and provide expert advice to enable successful transformation that respects our culture and delivers long-term benefits
Key Accountabilities:
Provide senior leadership and expert advice on change management, communications, engagement, and learning strategies.
Develop and oversee programme-level change pathways, communications strategies, and stakeholder engagement approaches.
Maintain and input into an enterprise view of change to ensure coordination and sequencing across NZ Police.
Partner with and lead a team of Change Managers and Analysts to assess impacts, risks, and readiness, integrating these into actionable plans.
Influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, fostering strong change leadership and alignment with Police principles.
Monitor and evaluate change effectiveness, identifying insights and improvements.
Contribute to programme reporting on progress, risks, and resourcing
He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring
Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.
Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements
Proven experience leading complex organisational change programmes.
Strong strategic thinking and ability to influence at senior levels.
Expertise in stakeholder engagement and communications.
Relevant tertiary qualification and change management certification (e.g., PROSCI, APMG) essential.
This role is based in Wellington. Some travel may be required.
This role is Leading Leaders level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements
To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:
https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/10-2026/programme_change_lead.pdf
Security Clearance Requirements :
To be eligible for this role, you may be asked to obtain and maintain a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance.
The minimum criteria for this level of national security clearance is:
NZ Citizen who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or:
A Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or
A citizen of or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last 10 years : Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, or United States of America, and has a background that can be verified by the NZSIS.
Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:
http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool
Mo tātou | About us
New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.
Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.
The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.
To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:
Applicant Information Pack (External)
Tono ināianei | Apply now
If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.
For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers
All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.
Utu ā-tau | Salary
This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $142,124 and $146,861 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.
If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process.
Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Tuesday 21st October 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.
If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact ashna.kumar@police.govt.nz
