Senior Support Officer

Role overview

The Ministry of Education New Zealand is recruiting a permanent Senior Support Officer to join its Albany office. The position supports work across North and West Auckland and sits within a frontline business support team that helps deliver services to the education sector.

In this role, you will report to the Business Support Manager and take responsibility for a broad mix of operational and administrative work. This includes correspondence handling, payroll support, finance-related tasks, data administration, document preparation, digital file management, corporate services, and diary or schedule coordination. You will also assist with fleet vehicle coordination, including SharePoint setup and maintenance. A full valid driver’s licence is required, although a restricted licence may be considered.

The role calls for someone who can manage several systems and priorities at once, stay composed during busy periods, and contribute to the smooth running of the team so others can stay focused on supporting learners across Aotearoa.

Salary and employment details

This is a permanent full-time role. The advertised pay range is NZD 62,681 to 72,999 per year, plus KiwiSaver. The final appointment will depend on the candidate’s skills and experience.

About the team

Te Mahau | Te Tai Raro is a frontline group providing leadership and integrated services across the sector, including learning support, education advice, and regulatory functions for schools and early learning services. The Business Support team works closely with Education and Learning Support teams in Auckland and supports families, schools, and early childhood centres. The team is described as supportive, welcoming, diverse, and customer-focused.

What you will be doing

• Support day-to-day operational activity across the office and wider team.
• Manage correspondence, documents, records, and digital storage.
• Assist with payroll-related and finance-related processes.
• Maintain data, reporting, and administrative systems using Microsoft tools.
• Coordinate diaries, meetings, schedules, and other office logistics.
• Oversee fleet vehicle administration and related SharePoint tasks.
• Work with internal stakeholders and external contacts to keep processes moving smoothly.
• Provide dependable support in a fast-moving environment with changing priorities.

What we are looking for

• Previous experience in a similar administrative or business support role, delivered to organisational standards.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Good financial understanding and confidence with administrative processes.
• Experience building positive working relationships with customers and colleagues.
• Ability to work proactively with others to solve issues and provide support.
• Consistent, efficient administrative support for managers and staff.
• Flexibility, reliability, and the ability to work well in changing conditions and virtual cross-functional teams.
• Strong time management and the ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines.
• Competence with Microsoft applications, email, and diary management.
• Comfort working in a tikanga/kaupapa Māori environment.
• Interest in, or understanding of, the Treaty of Waitangi and how it connects to the work.
• Willingness to follow Public Service standards of integrity and conduct.

Additional information

This vacancy was advertised on 11 May 2026. It is a permanent position based in Albany, Auckland, with flexibility to support operations across North and West Auckland. Applications close at midnight on Sunday 19 July 2026, although applications may be reviewed as they arrive. If needed, adjustments or assistance can be arranged to support participation in the recruitment process. For further information, the contact person is Madisen Su’a, Business Support Manager, at recruitment.tamakiht@education.govt.nz.