National Manager Workplace Relations (Contract)

• Hourly or Fixed Term Contract to 31 March 2026
• Wellington location (preferred)
• Immediate Start

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Employment and Industrial Relations specialist to step into the pivotal role of National Manager Workplace Relations on a fixed-term or contract basis through to 31 March 2026.

This is a rare opportunity to make a significant impact in a complex, unionised public sector environment during a period of organisational change.

About the Role

Reporting to the DCE People, you will lead the Workplace Relations team, overseeing industrial relations, union relationships, people policies, specialist advice, and dispute resolution.

You will play a key role in leading collective bargaining, requiring exceptional negotiation skills and deep public sector experience.

What We're Looking For

We need a seasoned ER/IR practitioner and people leader who will have:

• Significant experience leading workplace/employee relations in large, complex, and unionised organisations — ideally in the public sector such as Health, Education, or similar.
• Deep knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation and public sector collective bargaining processes.
• Proven ability to lead and influence at a senior level, including with ELT and Board.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large programmes of work and leading teams through change.
• High resilience, adaptability, and political acumen.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.

What’s in it for you?

Be at the forefront of shaping workplace relations in one of New Zealand’s most trusted public sector agencies.  Our client offers flexible working arrangements and a supportive, values-driven culture.

This is an hourly contract or fixed-term or contract opportunity through to 31 March 2026. Immediate start is preferred.

To Apply

If you have the expertise, credibility, and resilience to lead in this environment, apply now!

Please contact Maria Lyons or Jane Temel at Niche Recruitment for a confidential discussion:

• Maria Lyons: 021 403 855 | maria.lyons@nicherecruitment.co.nz
• Jane Temel: 021 499 902 | jane.temel@nicherecruitment.co.nz

Learning Specialist Assistant - Kāupapa Māori, Wellington CBD

Fixed term contract till June 2026

Passionate about te ao Māori? Curious, energetic, and ready for the next step in your career? This could be the opportunity for you.

We’re on the lookout for a go-getter, someone who’s confident in te reo Māori, loves learning, and brings warmth, creativity, and enthusiasm to everything they do. This is your chance to be part of a high profile, bicultural organisation that puts people, taonga, and Aotearoa's history and stories at the heart of its work.

You’ll support a passionate Specialist Learning team that designs and delivers engaging, kaupapa Māori learning experiences for schools, kura, and community groups, bringing together Aotearoa's history and culture. From hands-on sessions to digital learning tools, your mahi will help inspire the next generation, and you’ll be supported every step of the way.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As a Learning Specialist Assistant - Kaupapa Māori, you’ll help bring learning to life, especially for Māori learners. by supporting the delivery of creative programmes both onsite and online in both English and Māori settings. You’ll use your strong cultural grounding to connect with tamariki and rangatahi, and work closely with experienced Learning Specialists to build your confidence and skills. You will be well-supported by this knowledgeable and friendly team!

You don’t need to be a trained teacher or know the curriculum inside out - what matters most is your passion for people, your commitment to celebrating and sharing te ao Māori and your capacity to learn.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

• Fluent te reo Māori speaker, knowledge in Mātauranga Māori and confident in tikanga Māori

• Confident speaker and presenting to diverse groups

• Sound digital technology skills and the ability to support the creation of digital content

• Ideally, experience working with children and young people

• Strong organisational and problem-solving skill

• A tertiary-level qualification (in any relevant field)

• Natural curiosity and a willingness to learn and grow

• An energetic, inclusive approach grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and auahatanga

You’ll also need some flexibility to work the occasional weekend or evening.

Ka pēhea koe ka tono mai l How to apply

This is a rare opportunity to be part of something meaningful, delivering learning experiences that reflect Aotearoa’s unique culture and identity. You’ll be backed by a supportive team, with plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and grow your impact.

To apply for this role, click the 'Apply' or 'I'm interested' button. For for a copy of the job description, or a kōrero about whether this role might be suitable for you, please contact Maria Lyons on 021 403 855 or maria.lyons@niche.recruitment.co.nz. The closing date for this role is Friday, 19th September, however we will be reviewing applications as they come in.

• Bring creativity and innovation to learning design

• Create engaging, learner-centred experiences that drive behaviour change

• Be part of an energetic, collaborative new team

This is a unique opportunity for a creative, values-driven learning designer to help shape system-wide learning that promotes fairness, safety, and integrity in Aotearoa’s sport and recreation sector.

Mō mātou | About us

The Sport Integrity Commission is Aotearoa New Zealand’s new independent Crown entity established to ensure experiences are safer and fairer across the sport and recreation system. The Commission commenced operations on 1 July 2024, bringing together anti-doping, dispute resolution, safeguarding, investigations, learning, and capability building into a unified national organisation.

The Commission works across all levels of sport and recreation to promote positive integrity cultures. This includes setting integrity standards, delivering learning, and addressing integrity breaches in areas such as anti-doping, safeguarding, and competition manipulation. The Commission’s mahi is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the needs of participants.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As a Learning Designer, you will create learning that inspires, engages, and makes a real difference. You're someone who can identify diverse solutions and reach people in innovative ways.  

You’ll design blended and digital learning experiences that are practical, creative, and grounded in learner-centred and adult learning principles. From co-designed face-to-face workshops to interactive e-learning modules, microlearning, and toolkits, you’ll transform complex content into experiences that resonate with a wide range of learners across the sector.

You’ll work alongside subject matter experts, cultural advisors, facilitators, and analysts to co-design solutions that are inclusive, creative, and strategically aligned. You’ll also contribute to continuous improvement, embedding learner feedback and insights into design and delivery.  

Ko koe tēnei | About you

You’re a learning designer who thrives on creativity, collaboration, and purpose. You’ll bring:

• Proven experience designing learner-centred, inclusive learning across digital, print, and face-to-face formats

• Strong understanding of adult learning principles and behaviour-change approaches

• Creativity and innovation in design – with the ability to make complex topics simple, engaging, and practical

• Confidence with digital authoring tools such as Articulate 360, Rise, Canva, Adobe and LMS platforms

• Experience co-designing with diverse stakeholders and embedding cultural responsiveness into learning

• Engaging facilitation and storytelling skills, with the ability to bring energy and connection into delivery

• A team-oriented, collaborative mindset – you enjoy being part of a supportive, fun, and high-performing team

• A commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally grounded practice

Experience in sport, recreation, education, or the public sector is an advantage. A relevant tertiary qualification in adult learning, instructional design, education, or a related discipline is preferred.

Tono Mai | How to Apply

This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your learning design creativity to a purpose-led organisation where people and principles matter. Co-create learning experiences that support equity, wellbeing, and lasting change!

Please submit your CV and covering letter via the ‘Apply Now’ button by Tuesday 9th September. Please note, we will be reviewing applications as we receive them, therefore the role may close before this date.

For a confidential discussion or a copy of the position description, please contact Maria Lyons on 021 403 855 or maria.lyons@nicherecruitment.co.nz