Practice Lead – Data Management | Kaiarataki Mahi – Whakahaere Raraunga Me Ngā Mōhiohio (Christchurch or Wellington)

Calling all metadata specialists, data librarians and data management experts! We're looking for a highly skilled professional who is passionate about metadata, data governance and the practice of data lifecycle management for the permanent position of Practice Lead - Data Management, based in Christchurch or Wellington.

About Us | Ko mātou

Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa is a central government employer of 1200+ people across Aotearoa New Zealand. We provide data and statistics to support the decisions of government, Māori and iwi organisations, businesses, non-government organisations, and New Zealanders. Our work is About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa - data that improves lives today and for generations to come. We welcome every gender, ethnicity, ability, religion, age, and background and encourage all our people to be their authentic selves.

What's in it for you? | Ngā hua ka riro ki a koe

We encourage you to go to our careers site to learn more about the Way We Work at Stats NZ and check out our benefits. We want working for us to work for you!

Salary: $ 95,972 - $ 128,391 + superannuation

Other benefits include:

• Balance life and work commitments

• Develop and grow your career (coaching, training, study support, and secondments)

• Three extra annual leave days (taken during Christmas office closure)

• City-based offices that cater to a variety of working styles and needs.

The role | Te tūnga

The position will report to the Unit Manager Data and Information Management and work in close partnership with teams across the Strategic Data Management branch and wider business to improve and mature data management culture, skills and systems at Stats NZ. 

As Practice Lead, you are accountable for providing thought leadership to the Data and Information Management Unit and wider business. You will be leading projects and work items that drive improvements in data management practices; provide technical mentoring and coaching to others; create informed recommendations on data management to Stats NZ data governance groups and executive leadership.
Initially, this role will focus on a  defined need to support and advise on customer discovery tools and metadata management as well as supporting the implementation of operational data governance frameworks and tools. 

Key to the success of this role is the ability to:  

• lead and drive projects and programmes of work

• A credible understanding of the business of Stats NZ and a strong customer focus

• Effective engagement and relationships with key players

• Critical and analytical thinking to address complex problems and identify solutions.

• Research complex issues and develop practical solutions to them.

• Working constructively with people across the business including executive leaders, managers, technical specialists and busy front-line staff

• Support and coach Data and Information Management Senior Advisors & Advisors.

• Apply your knowledge of Māori tikanga to your work.

 Our ideal candidate will have:

• Experience implementing data management practices, processes or systems, especially in the public sector.

• High level of experience with metadata management, particularly as a customer discovery tool.

• Strong relationship building skills

• Excellent customer engagement skills

• Ability to translate customer needs or requirements into practical initiatives to improve services or develop new services.

• Familiarity with Te Tiriti, Tikanga, Te Ao, and Te Reo Māori, and experience in working with Māori, iwi, hapū, and Te Tiriti partners.

• Experience with information and data management platforms and standards, especially those for metadata management and digital preservation. Knowledge of Colectica would be a particular advantage.

• Knowledge of statistical and data sets as an information asset

 What you bring | Nōu te rourou   

We understand transferable skills can come from experience gained from outside of work. We encourage you to share all relevant experience irrespective of where it was gained in your application.

We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and lifting our cultural capability. You don't need to be knowledgeable in all these areas already, but you do need to be on board with learning and have a genuine interest and willingness to grow on this journey with us. 

Tell us about yourself in your cover letter, what attracted you to this role, and what you would bring to Stats NZ.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono   

If this sounds like you, click on the Apply now button to be redirect to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page. 

We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interview. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video. Please let us know in your application if we need to make any specific accommodations during our process. 

Please reach out to recruitment@stats.govt.nz if you have any questions.  

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background and various pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.  

Note to Recruitment Agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.