Recruitment Lead - E26 Programme Team

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Recruitment Lead for the Election 2026 Programme Team at the Department of Internal Affairs is a fixed-term onsite role in Wellington to 29 January 2027, charged with leading the recruitment to staff the 55th Executive and Ministerial Offices. You will develop and execute the recruitment strategy, run the Expression of Interest process, drive digitised assessment, establish robust systems and a long-term talent pool, and provide governance reporting and day-one readiness across workstreams. The ideal candidate has significant experience leading high-volume recruitment programs, strong stakeholder management, and government sector exposure. Apply with your CV and cover letter outlining relevant experience and motivation; closing midday Friday 7 August 2026. Interviews may occur before the closing date.

Recruitment Lead - Election 2026 Programme Team

• Fixed-term position to 29 January 2027
• Lead a significant recruitment programme
• Unique opportunity to shape the staffing of the 55th Executive

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) plays a central role in New Zealand's public service delivery, supporting communities, government, and democracy through a broad range of services and functions.

Ministerial Services (MS), within the Partnerships and Commissions branch, is responsible for ensuring Ministers are supported to effectively carry out their responsibilities. As a significant employer on the Parliamentary Precinct, MS manages Ministerial Office employment arrangements and supports positive workplace culture and employee wellbeing

About the Role 

Following the General Election 2026, Ministerial Services will deliver a large-scale recruitment project to support the formation of the 55th Executive and the staffing of Ministerial Offices.

We are seeking an experienced Recruitment Lead to join the Election 2026 Programme Team and lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of this critical workstream.

This role will be responsible for developing and implementing the recruitment strategy and processes required to recruit Ministerial Office staff for the 55th Executive in a high-profile environment. Working closely with Election 2026 programme stakeholders, delivery partners, and other Election 2026 programme workstreams, you will ensure recruitment activities are coordinated, fit for purpose, and delivered to meet tight deadlines.

Key Responsibilities 

As Recruitment Lead, you will:

• Lead and coordinate the Election 2026 Recruitment Workstream, ensuring successful delivery of recruitment outcomes across the programme.

• Develop and implement the recruitment approach and strategy for the transition to the 55th Executive.

• Design, manage, and deliver the end-to-end Expression of Interest (EOI) process for internal and external candidates seeking employment within Ministerial Offices.

• Develop innovative and efficient recruitment processes, including opportunities to digitise candidate presentation and assessment activities.

• Establish and maintain recruitment systems, processes, and documentation to support programme delivery.

• Create and maintain a talent pool framework that supports ongoing Ministerial Office recruitment requirements beyond Election 2026.

• Develop workstream plans, testing activities, communications, and day-one readiness plans in partnership with the wider Election 2026 Programme Team.

• Provide regular reporting, risk management, and progress updates to governance groups and senior leaders.

• Lead and support recruitment-related operational activities, including interview frameworks, candidate assessment processes, panel approaches, reference checking, and recruitment communications.

About You 

You'll be a highly organised and experienced recruitment professional with a track record of successfully leading large-scale or complex recruitment programmes.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Significant experience leading recruitment functions, programmes, or projects.

• Experience managing high-volume recruitment processes and delivering results under tight timeframes.

• Strong knowledge of recruitment best practice and employment processes.

• Proven ability to build strong relationships and influence a broad range of stakeholders.

• Experience working across multiple workstreams and coordinating complex pieces of work.

• Excellent planning, communication, and organisational skills.

• Strong judgement, problem-solving capability, and attention to detail.

• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities may shift quickly.

• Experience working within government or the wider public sector will be highly regarded.

Why Join Us? 

You'll join a talented and committed Election 2026 Programme Team responsible for supporting the successful transition to the 55th Executive. The work is challenging, fast-paced, and highly rewarding and offers an unique recruitment project in the public sector.

If you're looking for an opportunity to apply your recruitment expertise in this environment, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are interested in this opportunity.

Applications close midday Friday 7 August 2026.

Applications may be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be conducted prior to the closing date.