Hosting and Reception Lead

Hosting and Reception 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.
• Take the lead in creating an exceptional and consistent front-of-house experience for the Ministry and our guests.
• Ensure the efficient running of reception, meeting room management, and event hosting services.

We are seeking a highly organised and engaging professional to join the Building Operations team and supervise and support the provision of reception, visitor management, and event hosting services 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 Hosting and Reception 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. The role leads the team’s delivery of the Ministry’s front-of-house experience and oversees the management of events and large hosting/meeting spaces and facilities.

The role will be responsible for:

• Management, oversight and delivery of the front-of-house reception and visitor management functions and systems.
• Supervision and oversight of hosting and event support services, including management of conference and large meeting spaces.
• Supervision and workflow management of reception, event hosting and meeting management functions and direct support/involvement in delivering these functions.
• Ownership of the Ministry’s front-of-house experience.
• Leading daily team check-ins to manage and prioritise workflow.
• Develop processes for seeking feedback and responding through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintaining emergency management and security protocols for public-facing areas.

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

The full salary range for this role is between $64,940 and $82,979 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:

• A minimum of 5 years in corporate/government reception/front-of-house supervision/management.
• High level of experience in delivering and improving reception and visitor management services in a commercial or government office environment.
• Strong experience in provision of facilities and services to support hosting/events/large meetings.
• Experience in leading a front of house function and managing and responding to changing business needs.
• Experience supervising, directing, and managing workflow and performance of team members.
• Experience and understanding of digital visitor management system/tools.
• Experience managing customers and stakeholders to understand their needs and meet their expectations.
• 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.