Event Facilities Lead

Event Facilities Lead

• Join a newly established team responsible for the experience of staff and guests in a new Head Office for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
• Use your skills and experience to bring to life and ensure the smooth running of the Ministry’s new conference and large meeting spaces and facilities.
• Play a key role in developing the Ministry’s capabilities in representing New Zealand through in-house hosting.

We are seeking a multi-talented and highly organised person to join the Building Operations team and ensure the smooth running of high quality events and large meetings in the Ministry’s new Head Office, following its move in February 2026.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

We are moving to a modern, fit-for-purpose, sustainable workplace which:

• enables the Ministry’s people to collectively deliver our role and functions, both now and in the future.
• supports the well-being of our people.
• connects us as a community and supports collaboration with our external partners.
• demonstrates our values and our identity.

The Event Facilities Lead is a new role within a recently established Building Operations team, created with the capabilities to meet the needs and expectations of our new, fit-for-purpose Head Office.  As well as providing facilities management services, the team is responsible for the front-of-house experience and the management of events and large hosting/meeting spaces and facilities.

The role will be responsible for:

• Managing the effective operation and maintenance of the conference and large meeting spaces.
• Coordinating and delivering support services to ensure the smooth running of all events and meetings in these spaces.
• Providing first level technical support for audio-visual technology in these areas, and managing the next level of support for maintenance of this technology.
• Coordinating in-house functions and third-party contractors to integrate security, facilities management, technology support, and cleaning services for events during and outside of business hours.
• Managing the booking process and bookings for the conference and large meeting spaces and adjusting room set up/layouts according to business needs to ensure rooms are ready.
• Supporting the team in sustaining the Ministry’s front-of-house experience.

For more detail you can view a copy of the position description here.

The full salary range for this role is between $58,924 and $75,292 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

 Who are we looking for? - Mā‎ wai te mahi nei?

We’d like to hear from you if you are passionate about providing excellent customer service with the following skills and experience:

• Experience in managing conference and/or meeting spaces and facilities for hosting corporate events.
• Demonstrated experience in managing trade suppliers/contractors in a corporate or government environment.
• Strong experience in planning and managing events, including the coordination of all support services.
• Experience in managing and coordinating delivery of catering services for events.
• Experience in managing service contract delivery and performance within a corporate office environment.
• Technical knowledge and ability with audio-visual meeting and conference room technology, to set up and triage issues
• Experience managing customers and stakeholders to understand their needs and meet their expectations.
• Knowledge of Modern/Activity Based Working principles.
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial

Why MFAT? - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere?

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission.  Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging.  We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

About us - Mō mātou

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.  By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand’s interests and pursue New Zealand's values.  We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world. 

To Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter. For any questions, please contact recruitment@mfat.govt.nz

To be considered for this position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a New Zealand citizen, or Permanent Resident. 

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Confidential security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidential clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at 6pm on Monday 27th October 2025.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.  This is a ‘Corporate’ role (known here as a Specialist role) based in central Wellington, New Zealand.  

It is not usual for specialist staff to be ‘posted’ outside of New Zealand, but from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.