Senior Specialist – Ako Projects

• Lead high‑impact projects that shape the future of Ako and support transformational change.
• Full-time permanent position (37.5 hours per week).
• Salary range: $90,590 to $135,855 per annum plus benefits.

Mō mātou | About us

As a proudly kaupapa Māori tertiary educator, ‘tauira success’ is our mission and ‘whānau transformation through education’ is our vision, guiding our commitment to delivering quality education programmes underpinned by Māori culture and values. 

Our kaimahi (employees) enjoy a whānau-friendly workplace and a great range of benefits to support the wellbeing of them and their whānau:

• Free Southern Cross health insurance and life insurance.
• Four extra leave days each year to celebrate Matariki and Christmas, plus special leave available for those involved in cultural or sporting events.
• Flexible work hours and work-from-home options.
• An awesome wellness programme that offers free events and services to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Free car parking, and much more.

Mō tēnei mahi | About this job

As Senior Specialist – Ako Projects, you’ll take the lead on significant projects that directly shape the future of teaching, learning, and organisational change. You’ll ensure key initiatives are well‑planned, well‑managed and successfully delivered, working closely with teams across the Wānanga to turn insights and emerging needs into structured work programmes. This role will suit someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and hands‑on execution — analysing data, managing risks, producing reports, and guiding projects through to completion.

What’s in it for you?

• The chance to lead meaningful, organisation‑wide projects that influence the future of learning.
• A collaborative, kaupapa‑grounded work environment where high‑quality planning and delivery are valued.
• Opportunities to stretch your leadership, analytical and project management capabilityacross multiple initiatives.

Mōu | About you

You’re an organised, analytical and relationship‑driven project specialist who enjoys navigating complexity and working with diverse stakeholders. You bring confidence in data, comfort with project ownership, a proactive, solutions‑focused mindset, along with:

• Project management expertise, ideally 3+ years in large or complex environments.
• Advanced planning and delivery skills, including milestone tracking, governance, resource coordination and risk management.
• Strong analytical ability, with experience turning data into insights, reports, and strategic advice.
• Experience working in kaupapa Māori or bicultural contexts.
• Proficiency with Excel and familiarity with data tools (Power BI experience is an advantage).
• A relevant tertiary qualification, with postgraduate project management credentials (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP) preferred.
  

As a kaupapa Māori organisation, your willingness to participate in cultural activities and develop an understanding of Āhuatanga Māori (values, culture and tikanga) will be key.

Kua whati te tai, tono mai! | Apply today!

If we’ve outlined a role that matches your capabilities and aspirations, and a workplace that appeals, apply today as applications will close as soon as we have a suitable shortlist.

A position description is available on our career’s website.  For any other queries, please email jobs@twoa.ac.nz