Lead Advisor

New Zealand Transport Agency; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Five weeks annual leave

Income protection & critical illness

Job summary

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is seeking a Lead Advisor, Planning & Development to shape New Zealand’s transport strategy from a central position within Infrastructure Development & Delivery. You will report to the National Manager Planning & Development and act as a trusted advisor across a high-profile portfolio, balancing strategic guidance with delivery responsibilities.

Success requires senior advisory experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence through

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior advisory, chief of staff, principal advisor or similar role.
• Experience supporting senior leaders in a large, complex organisation.
• Outstanding written communication skills, including experience preparing executive or ministerial material.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capability.
• Exceptional planning, coordination and organisational skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational support to the National Manager Planning & Development.
• Lead planning, governance and business performance activities.
• Coordinate responses to emerging, sensitive and high-priority issues.
• Support the development of Board, Ministerial and executive-level communications.
• Ensure quality of correspondence and customer responses.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration across NZTA and the wider transport sector.
• Lead special projects and strategic initiatives that support organisational objectives.

Skills

Senior advisory

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance & communications

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in public administration or related field

Job description

Help shape the future of New Zealand's transport infrastructure Location: Auckland or Wellington preferred (some flexibility for the right candidate) Type: Permanent, Full Time Hybrid: Collaborate closely with senior leaders through a 4-day in-office work pattern Salary: $160,000 - $180,000 + benefits (dependent on skills and experience) Play a trusted advisory role to a senior national leader Influence significant transport project and programme planning, development and delivery across NZTA Work at the centre of decision-making within Infrastructure Development & Delivery Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity This is a rare opportunity to join NZTA's Infrastructure Development & Delivery business group as Lead Advisor, Planning & Development. Reporting directly to the National Manager Planning & Development, you'll be a strategic partner, trusted advisor and key integrator across a diverse and high-profile portfolio. You'll operate at the heart of the function, helping drive strategic priorities, coordinate critical work programmes, and ensure the team is positioned to deliver long-term value for New Zealand. No two days will be the same. One day you could be providing strategic advice on emerging issues, leading business planning activities, or coordinating responses on complex matters. The next, you'll be preparing executive briefings, supporting governance forums, or helping shape organisational priorities across NZTA. Success in this role requires someone who can comfortably move between big-picture thinking and practical delivery, building strong relationships, creating clarity in complexity, and influencing outcomes across a wide range of stakeholders.

Key areas of focus include:

• Providing strategic and operational support to the National Manager Planning & Development
• Leading planning, governance and business performance activities
• Coordinating responses to emerging, sensitive and high-priority issues
• Supporting the development of Board, Ministerial and executive-level communications
• Ensuring the quality of correspondence, including customer responses and OIAs
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration across NZTA and the wider transport sector
• Leading special projects and strategic initiatives that support organisational objectives.

About you

You're an experienced senior advisor who thrives in complex environments and enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, governance, planning and delivery. You are politically astute, highly credible and able to quickly build trusted relationships across a range of stakeholders. You bring strong judgement, exceptional communication skills and the confidence to provide advice and challenge when required.

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Significant experience in a senior advisory, chief of staff, principal advisor or similar role
• Experience supporting senior leaders in a large, complex organisation
• Outstanding written communication skills, including experience preparing executive, Board or Ministerial-level material
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capability
• Exceptional planning, coordination and organisational skills
• The ability to navigate ambiguity, competing priorities and fast-moving issues
• Proven relationship management and influencing skills
• A collaborative, customer-focused approach with a strong focus on outcomes
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop an understanding of, Te Ao Māori, te reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the public sector context

About Infrastructure Development & Delivery

Mō mātou | About Infrastructure Development & Delivery Infrastructure Development & Delivery (IDD) is responsible for developing and delivering New Zealand's national land transport capital programme. From early planning and solution development through to delivery, IDD plays a critical role in ensuring transport investments are well-defined, well-managed and deliver lasting benefits for New Zealand communities. Our Planning & Development team provides the strategic direction, advice and coordination that helps shape future investment decisions, supports delivery excellence, and ensures our programmes are aligned to NZTA's long-term priorities.

What we offer

At NZTA, you'll join a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation where your work contributes directly to the future of New Zealand's transport system.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible working arrangements
• Five weeks annual leave
• Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance
• Career development and growth opportunities
• A supportive and inclusive team culture

Ready to make an impact? If you're looking for a role where you can influence decisions, shape priorities and work alongside senior leaders on matters of national significance, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close: 14 October 2026

To 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.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications.

We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.

About us

At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.