Education Content Lead

Education Content Lead

Help shape the future of Garden to Table learning across Aotearoa

Part-time 20 hours per week

Garden to Table empowers tamariki to grow, harvest, prepare and share their own fresh kai as part of everyday learning – want to join us?

We're looking for an exceptional education leader with a passion for Garden to Table's kaupapa of growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing kai, and the ability to transform this into practical, accessible support that helps schools and early learning centres to confidently implement, embed and grow Garden to Table programmes.

This is a rare opportunity to lead the transformation of Garden to Table's educational content, creating practical, curriculum-aligned resources, implementation pathways and support systems that enable hundreds of schools and early learning services across Aotearoa New Zealand to successfully deliver our programme. This role is central to delivering our Education Strategy and strengthening Garden to Table's position as a trusted leader in curriculum-aligned food education.

Working as part of our Education Leadership Team, you'll lead the evolution of how schools and early learning services experience and implement Garden to Table by creating clear pathways, practical resources and role-based support that guide members throughout their journey. From principals and teachers to volunteers, you'll ensure each person has the information, tools and confidence they need to understand their role, establish the programme and successfully embed Garden to Table within their setting.

This is a positive, rewarding and role. You’ll be part of a kaupapa-led organisation where your work directly supports tamariki to build life-long skills and connections to kai, whenua and each other.

Garden to Table Trust is a growing charity which works with kura and early learning centres to empower thousands of tamariki across Aotearoa New Zealand to whanake (grow), hauhake (harvest), whakarite (prepare), and whāngai (share) seasonal, affordable and sustainable kai.  The positive impacts from the programme radiate far beyond the school gates - to whānau, the wider community, and the planet - ultimately enabling a more sustainable, equitable and climate-friendly social and economic future.  Learn more about our incredible success stories and see more about our vision and kaupapa at www.gardentotable.org.nz

About the role

Positive, rewarding mahi as part of a supportive, passionate team who have your back.

As Education Content Lead, you will work closely with the Learning and Digital Projects Lead and Education Projects and Team Lead to transform how Garden to Table supports kura and early learning services throughout their membership journey. You'll lead the development of educational content, implementation resources and role-based support that helps members understand, establish and successfully embed Garden to Table within their setting.

Working collaboratively the Education Team and education sector partners, you will:

• Lead the development of practical, curriculum-aligned educational content, implementation guides, onboarding resources and "how to" tools that help schools and early learning services confidently establish and deliver Garden to Table’s unique programme of growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing kai.
• Transform our extensive library of resources into clear learning pathways, curated collections and role-based support for principals, kaiako, programme champions, volunteers and centre managers.
• Design onboarding journeys that guide members from joining Garden to Table through to confidently embedding the programme into their everyday practice over their first one to three years.
• Create accessible, engaging resources including guides, toolkits, videos, webinars, professional learning materials and digital content that support different roles, settings and stages of membership.
• Work alongside schools and early learning centres to co-design, test and continuously improve resources that are practical, adaptable and relevant across diverse communities and contexts.
• Use feedback, evidence and user insights to identify opportunities, improve the member experience and ensure Garden to Table content continues to meet the evolving needs of educators.
• Lead and contribute to professional learning and capability-building initiatives that strengthen confidence and understanding across schools, early learning services and the Garden to Table Education Team.
• Build strong relationships with education sector partners and contribute to Garden to Table's role as a trusted leader in curriculum-aligned food education.
• Contribute to the implementation of our Education Strategy and the ongoing evolution of Garden to Table's delivery model.
• Contribute as a leader in how we put into practice our commitment to honour the spirit of partnership with Māori embodied in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and our learning about te ao Māori and lifting te reo Māori.
• Support our goals to provide an equitable workplace, where differences and strengths are recognised and our team thrives.

This role is 20 hours per week, with flexibility to work from home anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand and travel as required.

About you

You have a genuine passion for Garden to Table's kaupapa and believe every child should have opportunities to learn through growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing kai. You understand the powerful role that gardens, food and hands-on learning can play in connecting tamariki with their environment, their whānau and their communities.

You are an experienced education professional who enjoys turning complex ideas into practical, engaging resources that people love using. You think strategically, but you're equally happy to create, refine and continuously improve content that helps schools and early learning services successfully implement programmes.

You will bring:

• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in the education sector, with strong knowledge of curriculum design, teaching practice, and school structures across ECE, primary and intermediate settings, including experience influencing practice or leading change.
• A relevant qualification in education, curriculum development or a related discipline, with sound understanding of the New Zealand education system and curriculum frameworks.
• Knowledge, experience or a personal connection to gardening, cooking, food education, sustainability or hands-on learning, and the ability to translate this kaupapa into meaningful learning experiences for tamariki.
• Experience designing practical implementation resources, onboarding journeys, learning pathways, toolkits and guides, professional learning or curriculum-aligned content that that support implementation and build capability.
• An understanding of how different education settings, school roles and communities require different approaches, and the ability to design content that reflects these diverse needs.
• Experience leading, developing and facilitating professional learning for educators and/or teams, both online and in-person, with a focus on building capability and improving outcomes.
• A collaborative approach, with experience using co-design, feedback and user testing to develop and continuously improve education content and learning initiatives.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver work within agreed scope, budgets and timeframes
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, schools, education agencies and sector stakeholders
• Experience creating clear, engaging reports, presentations and impact stories that communicate outcomes to diverse audiences.
• Confidence using digital platforms and online learning tools to create engaging learning experiences.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, culturally responsive practice and growing your understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in your mahi.
• A willingness to use and continue developing te reo Māori; everyday te reo is an advantage.
• Current driver’s licence and reliable transport.

What you will receive

• A culture that is supportive, inclusive and open to innovation.
• A salary between $92,643 and $96,928, pro rata for 20 hours, depending on the experience you bring to the role, with $20 per fortnight towards working from home expenses.
• We believe in supporting your health and wellbeing. We offer three Garden to Table leave days (in addition to your annual leave).
• The opportunity to shape how schools and early learning services experience and implement Garden to Table across Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The chance to work alongside a passionate team committed to improving outcomes for tamariki through meaningful, hands-on learning.

Garden to Table Trust is proud to be an equitable workplace, where we welcome and accept diversity and difference. We endeavour to support your individual needs and provide a safe and inclusive environment to achieve equitable outcomes for our employees, schools, kura and ākonga.

Does this sound like you?

Have a look at our website and get a feel for who we are and what we do: www.gardentotable.org.nz

If you think this could be the next step in your journey, please apply by sending your CV and Cover letter to hr@gardentotable.org.nz

Enquiries can be directed to:

Lauren Jarvie
Operations Manager
lauren@gardentotable.org.nz

We will review applications as they are received, so don't delay applying. We may appoint before the closing date if we find the right candidate.