Corporate Policy Advisor

Local Government Careers (LG Jobs); New Zealand; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Local Government Careers (LG Jobs) is seeking a Corporate Policy Advisor for its Strategy and Policy team. The role requires local government experience and the ability to hit the ground running, turning complex legislation into practical guidance for Council decisions.

You’ll help shape plans, policies and bylaws, support long-term and annual planning, engage with communities, and work with tangata whenua and stakeholders across the Coromandel. This is not an entry-level policy role.

Qualifications

• Three+ years in local government policy, planning or analytical roles.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and planning processes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects without dropping important ones.
• Clear writing and sound judgement.
• Strong relationship skills and collaboration with stakeholders.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and engaging with Māori.

Responsibilities

• Work with colleagues across the Council to keep projects on track.
• Research local issues and interpret their implications for communities and services.
• Develop and review policies, strategies and bylaws guiding Council activities.
• Translate legislation and technical information into practical guidance.
• Build relationships with tangata whenua, community groups and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the Long-term Plan and Annual Plan decisions.
• Produce high-quality policy work that clearly informs decisions.

Skills

Policy analysis

Stakeholder management

Clear writing

Project multitasking

Te Tiriti o Waitangi awareness

Strategic thinking

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

1d ago , from Local Government Careers (LG Jobs)

Ready to use your local government experience in a role that genuinely influences Council decisions?

We're looking for a Corporate Policy Advisor to join our Strategy and Policy team.

This is not an entry-level policy role. We're looking for someone who already understands how local government works and can hit the ground running from day one.

You’ll help shape the plans, policies and bylaws that guide how the Council serves its communities. One week you might be supporting a Long-term Plan project, the next you could be leading a bylaw review, analysing performance information, preparing community engagement material, or helping turn complex legislation into practical advice.

It’s varied, fast-paced, often challenging work and a chance to be involved in decisions that have a visible impact across the Coromandel.

What you’ll be doing

• Working with people across the Council to keeping our projects on track and moving forward.
• Researching local issues and helping the Council understand what they could mean for our communities and services.
• Developing and reviewing policies, strategies and bylaws that guide what our Council does.
• Turning legislation, technical reports and complex information into practical advice that people can understand and use.
• Building positive relationships with tangata whenua, community groups and key stakeholders.
• Helping shape the Council's Long-term Plan and Annual Plan, including decisions about the services we provide and how we measure success.
• Producing high-quality planning and policy work that makes a genuine difference for our communities.
• Preparing clear, engaging information that helps elected members and the public understand issues and make informed decisions.

What we’re looking for

• At least three years’ relevant experience in local government corporate planning, policy or a similar analytical role
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and planning processes
• Someone who can juggle multiple projects without dropping the important ones
• Clear writing, sound judgement and the confidence to ask good questions
• Strong relationship skills - because nothing in local government gets done alone
• Big-picture thinking with an eye for detail
• Awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the importance of engaging well with Māori
• A genuine interest in improving how services are planned, measured and communicated.

A real advantage would be experience in supporting or leading bylaw reviews and development.

Why join us

• Flexible and hybrid working options
• A supportive, high-trust team
• Real opportunities to grow and take on responsibility
• Work that has visible impact on how services are delivered across the Coromandel
• Relocation allowance
• Five weeks of annual leave + sick leave from the start of employment.

Position description

If you've worked in local government planning or policy and you're looking for a role where you can broaden your experience across corporate planning, performance reporting and bylaw development, we'd love to hear from you.