Manager Determinations

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 132,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MBIE in New Zealand seeks a Manager Determinations to lead a nationally significant regulatory function under the Building Act, directing a high‑performing team of people leaders and technical specialists in Wellington or Christchurch. You will set strategy, drive continuous improvement, provide expert advice on complex matters, and build relationships with MBIE, other agencies and the construction sector.

This full‑time role requires senior leadership experience and a relevant qualification,

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership and operational management experience.
• Experience leading a tribunal, quasi-judicial function, regulatory service, or similarly complex decision-making environment.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and public sector operating environments.
• Strong understanding of the Building Act and Building Code and its application.
• Exceptional judgement, analytical thinking and problem-solving capability.
• Experience leading organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• A track record of developing high-performing teams and future talent.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction and work programme for the Determinations function.
• Lead and develop a team of people leaders and technical specialists.
• Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes and service delivery.
• Provide expert advice on complex, sensitive and high-profile matters.
• Build strong relationships across MBIE, government agencies and the building and construction sector.
• Contribute as a member of the Building System Delivery & Assurance Leadership Team.

Skills

Senior leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Regulatory governance

Change leadership

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

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Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead a nationally significant statutory decision-making function.
• Influence the future direction of New Zealand's building regulatory system.
• Drive continuous improvement through a team of highly skilled technical specialists and people leaders.
• Salary range $132,417 - $160,472 - Wellington or Christchurch based, full-time perm role.

Why work for us?

At MBIE, our purpose is to grow Aotearoa New Zealand for all. We offer a collaborative and inclusive environment where our people are empowered to make a meaningful impact.

In this role you'll:

• Lead a nationally significant regulatory function.
• Influence the future direction of the building regulatory system.
• Work alongside experienced leaders and subject matter experts.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives across the wider Building and Tenancy branch.

Join us in leading a highly specialised function that plays a critical role in New Zealand's building regulatory system. As Manager Determinations, you will lead a team responsible for supporting the Chief Executive's statutory powers to make determinations under the Building Act. Determinations help provide clarity on the operation of New Zealand's performance-based building regulatory framework and offer an important dispute resolution mechanism for participants across the sector. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing team of people leaders and technical experts while contributing to the strategic stewardship of New Zealand's building system.

Reporting to the Head of Building System Delivery & Assurance, you will provide strategic leadership for the Determinations function and ensure the effective, efficient and high-quality delivery of statutory determinations decisions.
You will:

• Set the strategic direction and work programme for the Determinations function.
• Lead and develop a team of people leaders and technical specialists.
• Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes and service delivery.
• Provide expert advice on complex, sensitive and high-profile matters.
• Build strong relationships across MBIE, government agencies and the building and construction sector.
• Contribute as a member of the Building System Delivery & Assurance Leadership Team.

Skills and Experience Required

We're looking for a strategic and experienced leader who can successfully navigate complex regulatory environments while fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

You will bring:

• Proven senior leadership and operational management experience.
• Experience leading a tribunal, quasi-judicial function, regulatory service, or similarly complex decision-making environment.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and public sector operating environments.
• Strong understanding of the Building Act and Building Code and its application.
• Exceptional judgement, analytical thinking and problem-solving capability.
• Experience leading organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• A track record of developing high-performing teams and future talent.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

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.

• Māia– Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future

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.