General Manager Workplace Relations and Safety Policy

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 255,000 - 383,000; Full time

Job summary

MBIE is seeking a strategic General Manager, Workplace Relations and Safety Policy, to lead policy across multiple domains and an Insights function. You will guide a high-performing team, build strong ministerial relationships, and navigate complex policy issues to deliver outcomes for NZ’s workforce and economy.

Based in Wellington, this senior role requires extensive leadership experience, strategic thinking, and a track record of influencing across government stakeholders, with a focus on

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification or significant equivalent senior leadership experience.
• Extensive experience leading the development and delivery of policy advice at a senior level.
• Proven people leadership capability, with a track record of building, developing, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, with the ability to quickly establish credibility with Ministers and senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex political environments and lead through ambiguity.
• Strong strategic thinking, able to translate priorities into policy direction.
• Proven ability to build trust and influence senior decision-makers.
• Understanding of government decision-making processes and procedures.
• Experience leading complex programmes across disciplines with operational delivery.
• Commitment to developing diverse, inclusive, high-performing teams.
• Extensive senior-level experience managing people, finances, and capability.
• Knowledge of NZ economy drivers and business environment.
• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand. Credit check required.

Skills

Senior leadership

Policy leadership

Relationship management

Strategic thinking

Governance knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Ambiguity management

Public sector experience

Policy monitoring

Diversity inclusion

Budget management

Education

Tertiary qualification or senior leadership experience

Job description

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Lead a nationally significant policy portfolio Build strong relationships and influence key stakeholders Drive high-quality policy outcomes through strategic leadership Salary $255,498 - $383,248 KiwiSaver included + wellness benefits Permanent full time | Wellington based

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

We are seeking a strategic and influential leader to join us as General Manager, Workplace Relations and Safety Policy. In this key leadership role, you will lead the development and delivery of policy advice across International Labour Policy, Employment Relations and Employment Standards Policy, Work Health and Safety Policy, and Accident Compensation Policy. You'll also be responsible for an Insights function. Leading a team, you will provide strategic direction, foster a high-performing culture, and navigate complex policy issues to deliver impactful outcomes. You will work collaboratively to provide system leadership and stewardship. Working closely with Ministers, government agencies, Crown entities and stakeholders, you will build strong relationships and influence policy that supports New Zealand's workforce, businesses, and economy. This role requires an experienced leader who can operate confidently in complex and dynamic environments, provide strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio, and drive high-quality policy outcome

Skills and Experience Required - Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana

• A relevant tertiary qualification or significant equivalent senior leadership experience.
• Extensive experience leading the development and delivery of policy advice at a senior level.
• Proven people leadership capability, with a track record of building, developing, and motivating high-performing teams within complex organisations.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, with the ability to quickly establish credibility and maintain effective partnerships with Ministers, senior public service leaders, and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully navigate complex political environments, exercise sound judgement, and lead through ambiguity and pressure.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to connect broader organisational priorities and translate them into policy direction and outcomes.
• Proven ability to build trust, influence, and credibility with senior leaders and decision-makers.
• Sound understanding of government decision-making processes and operating procedures.
• Experience leading complex programmes across multiple specialist disciplines, balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery.
• Strong knowledge of policy monitoring, accountability frameworks, and contemporary policy development practices.
• A demonstrated commitment to developing diverse, inclusive, and high-performing teams.
• Extensive senior-level experience managing people, financial resources, and organisational capability.
• A solid understanding of the key drivers influencing New Zealand's economy and business environment.
• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand. Credit check required.

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders. We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable. People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours. Mahi Tahi - Better Together Māia- Bold and brave Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future Pono Me Te Tika - Own It Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity - Hīkina Whakatutuki - which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'. MBIE recognises the partnership founded under TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities. E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapa kua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.