Executive Advisor - Regulatory

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency; Wellington, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks leave

Income protection

Flexible hours

Career development

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in Wellington seeks an Executive Advisor to the GGM Regulatory/Director Land Transport. You will be a trusted strategic partner, shaping decisions and coordinating governance across senior leadership to deliver safety and regulatory outcomes for Aotearoa.

In this high-visibility role you will provide strategic insight, support strategy development and budgeting, manage key relationships, and lead cross-agency collaboration while championing Te Ao Māori and public

Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide strategic advice to senior leaders within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience supporting governance processes and strategic planning across organisations.
• Excellent written communication, including executive briefings, reports, and correspondence.
• Strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic insight, thought leadership, and trusted advice to Regulatory leadership.
• Support delivery of Regulatory strategy and NZTA priorities.
• Identify, assess, and proactively manage risks, issues, and opportunities.
• Coordinate inputs from Board, ELT, committees, and ministers with forward planning and QA.
• Support strategy development, business planning, and major organisational initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Political awareness

Relationship-building

Sound judgement

Influence without authority

Governance processes

Job description

* Trusted strategic advisor to the Regulatory GGM/Director Land Transport* Influence executive decision-making and help shape the future of New Zealand's transport regulation* Join a high-performing team delivering meaningful safety and regulatory outcomes for Aotearoa **Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity** As Executive Advisor, you'll be the trusted strategic partner to the GGM Regulatory/Director Land Transport, working at the centre of executive leadership, governance, strategic planning, and organisational performance. You'll play a pivotal role in helping Regulatory deliver on its priorities by providing insight, challenge, coordination, and high-quality advice across a diverse and complex portfolio This is a highly visible role that operates across organisational boundaries, connecting people, information, and initiatives to support informed decision-making and successful delivery. You'll work closely with senior leaders, executive advisors, subject matter experts, and key stakeholders across NZTA and the wider transport system to help Regulatory navigate emerging opportunities, risks, and challenges.Key responsibilities include: * Providing strategic insight, thought leadership, and trusted advice to the Regulatory GGM/Director Land Transport and Regulatory Leadership Team* Supporting the delivery of Regulatory strategy and NZTA priorities* Identifying, assessing, and proactively managing risks, issues, and emerging opportunities* Coordinating Board, Executive Leadership Team, Committee, and ministerial inputs, including forward planning and quality assurance* Supporting strategy development, business planning, and major organisational initiatives* Strengthening leadership effectiveness, organisational alignment, and collective ways of working* Building strong relationships across NZTA, government agencies, and external stakeholders* Supporting internal communications, engagement activities, and organisational change initiatives* Working alongside Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, and financial oversight* Championing Te Ao Māori, Te Reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and our responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi You can find out more about the role here: **Position Description** **Ko koe tēnei | About you** To be successful in this role, you'll bring a combination of strategic thinking, political awareness and understanding, relationship-building capability, and sound judgement. You will be comfortable operating in ambiguity, influencing without authority, and working across a broad range of organisational priorities. You will bring: * Experience providing high-quality strategic advice and support to senior leaders within a large, complex organisation* Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to turn insights into practical recommendations* Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence across diverse stakeholder groups* Experience supporting governance processes, strategic planning, organisational performance, or enterprise-wide initiatives* Exceptional written communication skills, including preparation of executive-level briefings, reports, and correspondence* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment* Excellent judgement, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem solving* The ability to work independently while delivering outcomes through collaboration and influence. Ideally, you will also have: * Experience working within a regulatory, public sector, or government environment* An understanding of regulatory systems, governance, and government decision-making processes. You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within the public sector.**Mō mātou | About us** Te Rōpū Waeture | Regulatory is NZ's lead regulator for land transport. Our purpose is to ensure the transport system is safe, efficient, effective, and operates in the public interest. We reduce harm by being a firm and fair real-world regulator, grounded in good regulatory practice and Te Ao Māori values. Being a real-world regulator means taking a system-wide view of safety and risk. We work to understand behaviour across the transport system, encourage and educate to support compliance, and take proportionate, evidence-based enforcement action where necessary. Our people are committed to delivering better safety outcomes for New Zealanders while supporting a transport system that works for everyone.**Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return** At NZTA, you'll be part of an organisation that is moving Aotearoa forward by creating a land transport system that connects people, products, and places. Along with meaningful work and the opportunity to influence outcomes at the highest levels of the organisation, we offer: * A competitive salary and benefits package* Flexible working arrangements (role dependent)* Five weeks annual leave* Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for permanent employees* Career development opportunities across a large and complex organisation* A values-led, inclusive workplace where people are encouraged to grow, contribute, and succeed Find out more about our benefits here. If you're looking for a role where you can combine strategic thinking, organisational influence, and public service impact, we'd love to hear from you. **Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply** Please click **Apply** to upload your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. **Rā Katinga | Applications close:**26 October 2026For further information, email: [e-mail] be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.