Senior Education Advisor

Role overview

This is a permanent, full-time Senior Education Advisor position based in Timaru, serving Timaru and rural South Canterbury. The role sits within an education advisory function focused on helping the sector deliver government education priorities and improve outcomes for learners.

The wider education system is currently focused on lifting attendance and achievement through a knowledge-rich curriculum informed by the science of learning, alongside stronger learning support interventions and workforce development. In this role, you will help translate those priorities into practical support for schools, kura, and whānau through proactive regional services.

The position is based in Timaru and may also suit candidates living in Timaru or surrounding South Canterbury communities who are able to commute.

Key responsibilities

• Communicate government priorities and strategies clearly so they are understood and implemented effectively.
• Identify where support is needed, coordinate it, and help enable successful implementation.
• Monitor progress and prepare reports on how implementation is tracking.
• Work alongside schools, kura, and whānau to improve student attendance and engagement.
• Use the available supports and interventions to strengthen attendance and achievement outcomes.

About the team

The Education Services Group delivers integrated services that help education settings operate effectively and support student achievement and participation. Its work is aimed at reducing barriers to learning, improving participation, and providing regulatory advice, support, and oversight to early learning services, schools, and kura.

The group’s three priorities are:

• Practice and guidance: Improve national coordination and consistency while still allowing regional flexibility in service delivery.
• Integration and delivery: Provide direct support through coordinated regional and national services, intervene where needed, and maintain key stakeholder relationships to support school improvement.
• Monitoring and improvement: Track service effectiveness, efficiency, equity, achievement, progression, attendance, and participation, and step in when provider performance needs attention.

What you bring

We are seeking someone with a solid understanding of the schooling sector and the legislation that applies to it.

• Proven experience building relationships and influencing change to achieve results.
• The ability to work with data and insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide timely, high-quality advice.
• Experience working collaboratively in an integrated team and solving problems with others.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Willingness to follow Public Service standards of integrity and conduct.

Salary and conditions

The salary range for this role is $85,225 to $103,071 per year, plus 3% KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be placed at a level that reflects their experience and skills.

Job type: permanent. Work arrangement: full-time, onsite. Location: Timaru, New Zealand.

Application details

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should include information about your background, values, motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the perspectives you would bring to the role.

For more information about the position, contact Ruth Sullivan at ruth.sullivan@education.govt.nz.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 28 June 2026.

Additional information

The organisation is committed to creating a workplace where people feel respected, valued, and included. If you need support or adjustments to take part in the recruitment process, you are encouraged to get in touch.

Date advertised: 9 Jun 2026.