Director Branch Performance - Partnerships and Commissions

Department of Internal Affairs; Wellington; On-site; NZD 176,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Internal Affairs seeks a permanent Director, Branch Performance to lead the Branch Performance function, partnering with senior leaders to set direction and deliver coordinated performance across the branch.

You will build and guide a high-performing team, translate strategy into actionable plans, and provide trusted strategic advice on governance, risk, and performance reporting to senior leaders. Wellington-based role with a competitive appointing range.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a strategic performance, planning, governance or corporate services function in a complex organisation.
• Strong people leadership with a track record of building inclusive, high-performing teams.
• Experience managing OIA and official correspondence processes.
• Sound judgement and political nous, with experience advising senior leaders on complex issues.
• Ability to translate organisational strategy into clear priorities and plans.
• Understanding of governance, risk, assurance, accountability and performance reporting.
• A continuous-improvement mindset with capability to challenge constructively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Branch Performance function and provide strategic advice across governance, risk and performance reporting.
• Develop and lead a capable, engaged, high-performing team with clear expectations.
• Set direction and coordinate delivery across the branch and Department to achieve measurable results.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People leadership

OIA & official correspondence

Judgement & political nous

Strategy translation

Governance, risk, assurance

Continuous improvement

Job description

About Us

Mō mātou Join the Partnerships and Commissions | Te Aukaha branch and help deliver services that truly matter! From national institutions and commissions to community-driven initiatives like Hāpai Hapori Community Operations, Archives National Library, and Ministerial Services, we bring together innovation, strategy, and action to make a positive difference across Aotearoa. Our Branch Performance teams are connectors both within their branch and across all branches at Te Tari Taiwhenua. The four Branch Performance teams work together to support strategy, planning, accountability, assurance and official correspondence across the Department. We manage a variety of work in a busy, interesting environment.

The role

Te tūnga We are looking for an experienced and strategic people leader to join us permanently as Director, Branch Performance. This is a key leadership role at the centre of the branch, partnering with the Deputy Secretary and senior leadership team to set direction, strengthen performance and ensure our priorities translate into coordinated delivery and measurable results.As Director, Branch Performance, you will lead the Branch Performance function and provide trusted strategic advice across strategy, business planning, governance, risk, assurance, accountability and performance reporting. You will bring an enterprise perspective, connect work across the branch and Department, and support senior leaders to make well-informed decisions, manage trade-offs and deliver on organisational commitments.A key part of your role will be leading and developing a capable, engaged and high-performing team. You will set clear expectations, create an inclusive and collaborative environment, build leadership and technical capability, and enable people to deliver their best work. Through strong relationships and influence, you will strengthen performance disciplines, anticipate emerging issues and drive continuous improvement across the branch.

What you bring

• Proven experience leading a strategic performance, planning, governance or corporate services function in a complex organisation
• Strong people leadership, with a track record of building inclusive, high-performing teams and developing capability
• Demonstrated experience in managing OIA and official correspondence processes
• Sound judgement and political nous, with experience providing trusted advice to senior leaders on complex and sensitive issues
• The ability to translate organisational strategy into clear priorities, integrated plans and meaningful performance measures
• A strong understanding of governance, risk, assurance, accountability and performance reporting
• A continuous-improvement mindset and the confidence to challenge constructively

For you

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo. To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see why we're a great place to work check out our website https://www.dia.govt.nz/

The appointing range for this Wellington based permanent role is $175,653 - $195,160.

Applications for this role close Wednesday 21st October 2026.

you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions please e-mail Jo Attewell - @[e-mail].