Conservation Regulation Policy Lead (Fixed Term)

Department of Conservation (DOC); Christchurch; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) is transforming its conservation regulation through law reform, regulatory modernisation, and system-wide improvements to support New Zealand’s natural heritage. As a Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor, you will bridge legislation, policy, and operations to deliver practical solutions across DOC’s regulatory system.

You will lead and influence complex work, provide trusted advice to senior leaders, and collaborate with Treaty partners to support Māori

Qualifications

• Experience in regulatory policy, operational policy, public policy, or a similar regulatory environment.
• Experience leading complex work programmes and delivering results with a high degree of autonomy.
• Experience interpreting legislation and translating policy into implementation.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity.
• Excellent relationship management, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience providing trusted advice to senior decision-makers.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, Māori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it applies to your work.

Responsibilities

• Leading complex operational policy work to support conservation law reform and regulatory modernisation.
• Translating legislative and policy changes into effective operational regulatory settings.
• Providing clear, evidence-based advice on regulatory issues.
• Building relationships across policy, legal, operational and regulatory stakeholders.
• Identifying risks and implementation challenges.
• Supporting successful implementation of regulatory change across DOC.
• Providing guidance and mentoring to team members.
• Working with Treaty partners to support Māori engagement.

Skills

Regulatory policy

Operational policy

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Legislation interpretation

Policy implementation

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

Department of Conservation (DOC) is transforming its conservation regulation through law reform, regulatory modernisation, and system-wide improvements to support New Zealand’s natural heritage. As a Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor, you will bridge legislation, policy, and operations to deliver practical solutions across DOC’s regulatory system.

You will lead and influence complex work, provide trusted advice to senior leaders, and collaborate with Treaty partners to support Māori