Microsoft 365 Platform Lead

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

University of Waikato seeks a Microsoft 365 Platform Lead to own the design, governance and ongoing evolution of the M365 environment including Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Power Platform and Copilot. This full-time, onsite role at Hillcrest Campus in Hamilton sits at the intersection of technology, information management and people, partnering with Cyber Security, Records Management and Organisational Development to govern and protect information assets, reduce risk, and align with the Digital Plan. The right candidate has deep M365 expertise, governance experience, AI tool governance, and a proven record in adoption and capability uplift, plus the ability to translate controls for non-technical stakeholders. Apply online by 12 March 2026; ensure you can work in NZ; tailor your application to show how you map business processes to digital solutions and demonstrate sustained adoption rather than a training program.

The University of Waikato has a bold new Digital Plan that sets our direction through to 2029 under the vision "Digital connects us and moves us forward." The Plan establishes clear priorities across data, cloud platforms, software delivery, enterprise architecture, and emerging technologies including AI, that will ensure the University can teach, research and operate successfully.

To deliver on our ambitions, we are investing in our people and growing our leadership team within Information Technology Services. This is an exciting role that will lead and govern the University’s Microsoft 365 platform to enable secure collaboration, digital capability uplift and safe AI adoption.

• Own and evolve the University's Microsoft 365 environment; shaping how thousands of staff and students work every day
• Drive adoption of Copilot and AI-enabled tooling within a governed, risk-aware framework
• A highly visible, senior platform role at the intersection of technology, people, and information management

Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role

The University of Waikato’s digital vision is clear: Digital connects us and moves us forward. Information Technology Services (ITS), part of Corporate Services, leads digital direction and ensures the University operates in a secure, resilient and future-ready environment.

We are seeking a Microsoft 365 Platform Lead to take ownership of the design, governance and continuous evolution of our Microsoft 365 environment, spanning Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Power Platform, Copilot and the broader productivity suite.

Working in close partnership with Cyber Security, Records Management, and Organisational Development, the Platform Lead ensures Microsoft 365 is governed and operated in ways that protect information assets, reduce enterprise risk, and align with the University's Digital Plan and risk appetite.

This is a full-time role 37.5 Hours, based on our Hillcrest Campus.

For more information on the role please see the position description.  All applications must be submitted through the online portal, emailed applications will not be accepted.

Ko wai koe? – Who are you?

Are you a Microsoft 365 specialist who can do more than configure a tenant? Do you understand how platform governance, information management, and user capability all need to work together before an organisation can confidently adopt tools like Copilot?

You are equally comfortable defining guardrails and patterns as you are walking a business team through how to use Power Automate to simplify a process. You can translate technical controls into plain language, and you know that adoption is not a training programme; it is a sustained programme of engagement, enablement, and cultural change.

You will bring:

• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Strong expertise in Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Power Automate, Power Apps)
• Demonstrated experience setting and enforcing platform standards while balancing usability and risk
• Experience developing or applying governance frameworks for AI-enabled productivity tools
• Sound understanding of information protection and records management principles
• Proven experience delivering digital training, adoption and capability uplift programmes
• The ability to map business processes and translate them into effective digital solutions
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage confidently with non-technical stakeholders

A commitment to equal opportunity and to the University’s partnership with Māori as intended by the Treaty of Waitangi, including awareness of Māori and Pacific cultures

You are proactive, innovative and disciplined, comfortable challenging the status quo and driving continuous improvement. You are consultative and inclusive in your approach, able to build trusted relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders while maintaining clear standards and direction.

Ko wai mātou? – Who are we? 

Information Technology Services (ITS) is responsible for ICT planning, the delivery of robust and reliable core infrastructure and enterprise systems, and the provision of professional consultancy and customer-focused support services across the University.

Our ICT vision is to engage, enable, innovate and protect our digital services, empowering the University of Waikato to leverage technology to achieve its strategic goals. We work in close partnership with academic and professional divisions to support excellence in teaching, research and student experience.

At the University of Waikato, you will join a forward-looking organisation committed to innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on safe, responsible and future-ready digital practice.

He aha ngā take me tono mai ai koe? – Why should you apply for this position?

We want you to be part of our success!  This is an opportunity to take genuine platform ownership in an organisation with real appetite to get more from Microsoft 365. The University's need for greater Copilot adoption, its focus on information management uplift, and its commitment to building digital capability across the workforce create the conditions for meaningful, lasting impact.

Our university stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths. Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits.

The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here. 

Ko te Tangata – For the People

The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all. 

E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.

Applications Close on 12th March 2026 

Requisition number: 1003441