Head of Department - Early Childhood

Company Description

Head of Department – Early Childhood

Location: Flexible, preferred Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch

New Zealand Tertiary College | Te Kura Mātauranga o Aotearoa

Help shape the future of early childhood education for tamariki, whānau and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

At New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC), we believe quality early childhood education begins with exceptional teachers. The educators we prepare today will help shape the learning, development and wellbeing of our tamariki for generations to come.

We are excited to introduce a newly established Head of Department – Early Childhood Education position, reflecting our continued investment in academic excellence and our commitment to our students, the ECE sector, and the tamariki and whānau our graduates will support.

This is an opportunity for an experienced academic leader to help shape the next chapter of ECE teacher education at NZTC. We are seeking someone who brings academic expertise, genuine care for learners, an appreciation of te ao Māori and a strong commitment to preparing culturally responsive, capable and confident educators.

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Academic Delivery, you will provide academic leadership across NZTC's ECE programmes, including Initial Teacher Education (ITE).

You will lead and develop our academic teams, strengthen teaching and assessment quality, and ensure our programmes remain contemporary, inclusive and connected to the needs of the ECE sector and the diverse communities of Aotearoa.

Your key priorities will include:

- Lead and inspire: Build a high-performing, collaborative academic department where people feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver exceptional education.
- Champion student success: Strengthen learner engagement, progression and completion, with a focus on equitable outcomes for Māori, Pacific and all learners.
- Drive academic excellence: Lead improvements in curriculum, teaching practice, assessment, moderation and academic quality.
- Embed bicultural practice: Champion the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthen the meaningful integration of te ao Māori, te reo Māori and tikanga Māori in teaching and learning.
- Shape future learning: Ensure our programmes reflect Te Whāriki, contemporary research, professional requirements and the evolving needs of tamariki, whānau and ECE services.
- Connect with the sector: Build authentic, reciprocal relationships with ECE employers, Māori and Pacific education communities, Associate Teachers and professional bodies, ensuring their perspectives inform our programmes and graduate readiness.
- Lead meaningful improvement: Use learner feedback, academic data and sector insights to continually strengthen educational quality and outcomes.

Qualifications

We are seeking an authentic, forward-thinking academic leader who believes exceptional teacher education combines academic rigour, cultural responsiveness and genuine care for people.

You will bring:

- A relevant postgraduate qualification in education, ECE or a related discipline, normally at master's level or above.
- Substantial experience in early childhood education and teacher education.
- Experience leading tertiary academic teams, curriculum development, assessment and academic quality.
- A sound understanding of Te Whāriki, Initial Teacher Education, NZQA requirements and teacher registration pathways.
- An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to strengthening bicultural practice, Māori educational success and culturally responsive teaching.
- The ability to build meaningful relationships across the diverse ECE sector.
- A collaborative leadership style, openness to different perspectives and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
- Teacher registration and a current practising certificate would be advantageous.
- We recognise that cultural capability develops through ongoing learning, relationships and practice. We welcome applicants at different stages of their te reo Māori journey who demonstrate a genuine commitment to strengthening bicultural education.

Additional Information

Why join NZTC?

NZTC has a proud history of preparing educators who make a difference in the lives of children, families and communities.

Our approach is grounded in care, a commitment to excellence and a belief that education can positively change lives.

We recognise that the ECE sector continues to evolve, and so must the way we prepare and support the next generation of teachers.

The establishment of this new role reflects our commitment to strengthening academic leadership, deepening our connections with the communities we serve and ensuring our graduates are prepared to make a meaningful difference for all tamariki.

You will have the opportunity to shape a newly established academic leadership role, work alongside passionate education professionals and contribute to an inclusive, culturally responsive and high-quality approach to teacher education.

Most importantly, the impact of your leadership will extend beyond our college, through our graduates and into the early learning experiences of tamariki across Aotearoa.

Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuring we’re attracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students.

We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.