Director, Strategic Planning and Assurance

Ministry of Justice (New Zealand); Wellington; On-site; NZD 177,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice (New Zealand) is seeking a Director, Strategic Planning and Assurance in Wellington to lead the Strategic Planning and Assurance Unit within the Policy Group. The role focuses on thinking ahead, prioritising work, and turning strategy into practical action across complex issues.

You will guide senior leaders, oversee Waitangi Tribunal inquiries, and ensure robust planning, performance insights, and governance to support informed decisions and resilient delivery.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading planning, strategy, assurance, or similar functions.
• Strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori-Crown relationships.
• Experience advising senior leaders and Ministers on complex issues.
• Ability to work across organisational boundaries and align goals.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and coaching others.
• Understanding of public sector planning, reporting, budgeting and decision processes.
• Day-to-day BAU responsibility for a small team and delivering timely, high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Strategic Planning and Assurance Unit within the Policy Group.
• Turn strategy into practical actions across complex, cross‑functional issues.
• Oversee planning, performance insights, stewardship and assurance activities.
• Lead responses to Waitangi Tribunal inquiries with integrity and care.
• Support senior leaders and Ministers with strategic advice.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Māori-Crown relationships

Advice to senior leaders

Cross-organisational collaboration

Team development

Public sector planning

Job description

Director, Strategic Planning and Assurance - Permanent, Full Time

Eharatakutoaite toatakitahi,engarihe toa takitiniSuccess is not the work of one, but the work of many.

Te Haeata / The Opportunity

This is a key leadership role in the Policy Group, responsible for helping us think ahead, focus on the right priorities, and make well-informed decisions. You'll lead the Strategic Planning and Assurance Unit, bringing together planning, performance insights, stewardship, and assurance to provide a clear view of how the Group is performing today and what it needs to prepare for tomorrow. You will help senior leaders navigate competing priorities, emerging risks, resourcing challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

A significant part of the role is leading the Ministry's response to Waitangi Tribunal inquiries. You will ensure the Ministry meets its obligations with integrity and care, while supporting respectful engagement on matters relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori-Crown relationships.

This is a role for someone who enjoys working across complex issues, can see the bigger picture, and is able to turn strategy into practical action.

Ō pūkenga / Skills and Experience

• Significant experience leading planning, strategy, assurance, performance, stewardship, or similar functions.
• A strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori-Crown relationships, and confidence working within Te Ao Māori.
• Experience providing advice to senior leaders and Ministers' offices on complex issues.
• The ability to work across organisational boundaries and bring people together around shared goals.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves when needed
• An understanding of public sector planning, reporting, budgeting and decision-making processes.
• This role is also responsible for the day-to-day business as usual requirements and activities of a small team. You will support the team, and coach those around you to help deliver timely, high-quality work.

Mō mātou / About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we are committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa New Zealand. Joining the Ministry means becoming part of an organisation that values diversity, inclusion, and mana enhancing ways of working. We welcome and support people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities, and religions.

Utu ātau / Salary

The remuneration band for this role is $177,308 to $228,440 and the appointing salary will be based on skills and experience.

Applications close on 16 October 2026