Strategic Advisor – Programme & Product Portfolio (secondment opportunity)

We are inviting applications from kaimahi interested in stepping into a Strategic Advisor Role within Strategy. This is a full-time 12-month internal secondment, expected to commence in August 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to use their education experience to support Open Polytechnic’s portfolio decisions.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Open Polytechnic is recruiting for a Strategic Advisor - Programme & Product Portfolio for a 12 month fixed term role. The Strategic Advisor - Programme & Product Portfolio leads Open Polytechnic's focus on maintaining a portfolio of programmes and other educational products that are relevant, responsive to external stakeholder demand and meet the needs of industry, employers, iwi and ākonga. Reporting to the Executive Director Strategy, the Strategic Advisor - Programme & Product Portfolio will engage with a wide range of external and internal stakeholders to establish, develop, maintain and enhance Open Polytechnic's stakeholder relationships.

The Strategic Advisor - Programme & Product Portfolio is responsible for:

• Providing evidence-based advice that informs decisions made by executive decision makers about the make up of Open Polytechnic's portfolio of programmes and educational products
• Collating data, information and intelligence in support of the management and decision making activities that concern Open Polytechnic's portfolio of programmes and educational products
• Supporting the activities and decision making of the Portfolio Decision Group
• Alert to, and creating awareness of opportunities for current and future programmes and products to meet demand from employers, industry and other stakeholder groups
• Building and enhancing Open Polytechnic's reputation with external stakeholder groups
• Work collaboratively with Analysts within the team to form advice

Ngā pūkenga mo te tūnga | What you will bring to the role

You will have a passion for impacting the lives of everyday people and seeing them achieve their educational goals and dreams. You will also constantly be striving to be the best you can be, just as our students do and you pride yourself on the quality of your work.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant experience in the Vocational Education Sector in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Experience in external intelligence gathering, data analysis, market analytics, situation analysis
• A depth of experience in external stakeholder relations
• A graduate qualification in a discipline related to the provision of vocational education and training, or economics, or marketing

Mō mātou | About us

The Open Polytechnic, Kuratini Tuwhera, is Aotearoa New Zealand's leading distance and online learning provider with an enviable reputation in the vocational sector. We specialise in taking the learning to our students, focusing on enabling the success of approximately 35,000 students each year. We're a place where you can make a difference.

We offer a wide range of learning disciplines from Initial Teacher Education, Real Estate, Social Work, Construction and Business. From our Academic Staff Members to our Student Journey Centre, we ensure our students are at the heart of everything we do, every step of the way

We specialise in taking the learning to our students, focusing on enabling the success of approximately 30,000 students each year. We're a place where you can make a difference.

We offer a wide range of learning disciplines from Real Estate to Social Work, Construction and Education. From our Academic Staff Members to our Student Journey Centre, we ensure our students are at the heart of everything we do, every step of the way.

Ngā hua o tō tomo mai ki a mātou - Why you should join our team

We offer our people free education (50% off for whanau), free car parking on campus, flexible working options (including some working from home), a modernised working environment, subsidised school holiday programmes for your children, free fitness classes, and an on-site café.

We are proud of our kaimahi and value every contribution from all of our people.

Tono mai | Apply now

If this role sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Applications must be submitted online via our career's website. Contact Dominic Ellery - Sign in to view email with any questions about the role. Applications close 11pm 4 August 2026

Noho ora mai. Tēnā koe.

• Reference: 37099
• Posted: 21 Jul 2026
• Closes: 04 Aug 2026 23:00
• Expertise: Consultant (Education), Distance Education, Online Learning, Portfolio advisor, Strategy and Analysis
• Work type: Fixed Term, Full Time
• Location: Lower Hutt