Lead Advisor - Commercial Transport Regulation

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks' annual leave

Income protection

Critical illness insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) in Wellington seeks an experienced Lead Advisor to provide strategic leadership and high-level executive advice to our Head of Commercial Transport Regulation. You will connect strategy, evidence and operational insight to strengthen regulatory performance and safety outcomes.

The role emphasizes rapid understanding of complex issues, delivering practical advice, and influencing senior leaders across government, industry and partners.

Qualifications

• Proven executive or senior advisory experience with credibility to work with senior leaders.
• Strong regulatory background and understanding of regulatory systems.
• Excellent written communication: executive advice, governance papers, business cases.
• Strategic and systems thinking; connect objectives with operational delivery.
• Analytical capability using data to inform advice and recommendations.
• Ability to understand complex subjects quickly and identify what matters.
• Influencing and relationship management across government, industry, and stakeholders.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing competing priorities.
• Knowledge of Te Ao Maori, Te Reo Maori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in public service.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality strategic and executive advice to support senior leadership decisions.
• Lead business planning, performance monitoring and continuous improvement across Commercial Transport Regulation.
• Develop governance papers, strategic reports and executive-level advice.
• Use data and insights to identify risks, trends and opportunities and translate into recommendations.
• Lead complex strategic initiatives to strengthen regulatory performance and safety.
• Translate policy and government expectations into practical approaches.
• Represent senior leadership across internal, cross-agency, industry and governance forums.
• Build strong relationships with government, industry and regulatory partners.

Skills

Executive advisory

Regulatory systems

Strategic thinking

Analytical capability

Stakeholder management

Job description

Provide trusted strategic and executive-level adviceShape regulatory performance, planning and continuous improvementInfluence senior leaders and partners across a complex regulatory systemTe Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunityWe're looking for an experienced Lead Advisor to provide strategic leadership and high-quality executive advice and support to our Head of Commercial Transport Regulation.You don't need to be an expert in commercial transport. What we are looking for is someone with proven executive or senior advisory experience who can quickly get across complex issues, provide sound strategic advice and confidently support senior leaders with decision making. Ideally, you'll bring a strong regulatory background and an understanding of how regulatory systems operate.Working closely with the Head of Commercial Transport Regulation, you'll connect strategy, evidence and operational insight to strengthen regulatory performance and safety outcomes.In this role, you will:Provide high-quality strategic and executive advice to support senior leadership decision making.Lead business planning, performance monitoring and continuous improvement across Commercial Transport Regulation.Develop business cases, governance papers, strategic reports and executive-level advice.Use data, evidence and insights to identify emerging risks, trends and opportunities and translate these into clear recommendations.Lead complex strategic initiatives that strengthen regulatory performance and safety outcomes.Translate regulatory policy, requirements and government expectations into practical approaches.Represent senior leadership across internal, cross-agency, industry and governance forums.Build strong relationships across government, industry, regulated parties and regulatory partners.Provide thought leadership on regulatory system design, delivery and improvement, taking a future-focused and risk-based approach.You will find out more about the role here Position Description.Ko koe tenei | About youYou'll be an accomplished senior or executive advisor who is comfortable operating alongside senior leaders and navigating complex, high-profile issues.Commercial transport expertise is not essential. Your ability to quickly understand a new subject area, ask the right questions, bring together evidence and different perspectives, and turn complexity into clear, practical advice will be more important.Ideally, you'll come from a strong regulatory background and understand the challenges of working within a complex regulatory system. You'll bring strategic judgement, strong critical thinking and the credibility to influence at senior levels.To be successful in this role, you will bring:Proven executive or senior advisory experience, with the judgement and credibility to work closely with senior leaders.Strong experience within regulation, regulatory systems, public sector governance or a similarly complex environment.Excellent written communication skills, including experience developing executive advice, governance or board papers, business cases and strategic documents.Strong strategic and systems thinking, with the ability to connect broader organisational and regulatory objectives with operational delivery.Strong analytical capability, with the ability to use data, evidence and insights to inform advice and recommendations.The ability to quickly understand complex or unfamiliar subject matter and identify what matters most.Strong influencing and relationship management skills, with confidence engaging across senior leadership, government, industry and other stakeholders.Experience leading complex, cross-functional work and bringing together different perspectives to achieve shared outcomes.The ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, exercise sound judgement and maintain momentum across competing priorities.You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Maori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Maori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public service.Mo matou | About usTe Ropu Waeture | Regulatory works to ensure the land transport system is safe by providing oversight of regulatory interventions, informing responsive regulation through monitoring and review, and supporting effective, risk-based compliance management across the land transport system.The Commercial Transport Regulation team provides effective and efficient regulation of licensed commercial transport operators to improve safety and ensure risks are actively managed by those responsible. Working directly and alongside regulatory partners such as NZ Police, the team delivers licensing, compliance monitoring and regulatory response through an intelligence-led and risk-based approach.Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in returnThis is an opportunity to work at the heart of a complex regulatory environment where your advice and strategic thinking can make a real difference. You'll work closely with senior leaders and across organisational and agency boundaries, helping shape regulatory performance and supporting better outcomes for the land transport system.Along with our other benefits, we offer:Five weeks' annual leaveIncome protection and critical illness insurance for permanent employeesFlexible working arrangements, where appropriate for the roleOpportunities for professional development and continued learningReady to take the next step in your career? We'd love to hear from you. Apply today and join our team who is going places.Me pehea te tuku tono | How to applyPlease click Apply to upload your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.Ra Katinga | Applications close:17 November 2026For further information, email: [e-mail] be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.NZTA| 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.