Manager Operations

DIA; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 128,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington seeks a Manager Operations to lead a frontline AML/CFT regulatory team, delivering risk-based compliance and regulatory activity.

You will be accountable for team performance, quality and integrity of work, setting expectations and supporting staff through change. This fixed-term role runs to August 2027, with opportunities to influence cross-agency regulation.

Qualifications

• Extensive (minimum 5 years) experience in operational management and people leadership in regulatory contexts.
• Proven experience leading frontline teams and delivering risk-based regulatory work.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and resource allocation abilities.
• Experience with AML/CFT, financial crime, or enforcement is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead a frontline AML/CFT regulatory team and deliver risk-based compliance.
• Set performance expectations and support staff development.
• Oversee delivery and quality of AML/CFT regulatory activity.
• Ensure decisions are evidence-based, robust and timely.
• Respond to emerging risks and delivery pressures with proactive planning.
• Collaborate across the multi-agency regulatory system and with sector stakeholders.
• Support implementation of new systems and ways of working.
• Build relationships across the Department and with other agencies.

Skills

People leadership

Operational management

Regulatory compliance

AML/CFT knowledge

Stakeholder management

Job description

About Us | Mō mātou

The Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua strengthens connections and reduces harm for New Zealanders.

Within the Department, Regulatory Services oversees significant regulatory systems including Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism, Gambling and Charities. We are a responsive, risk-based regulator focused on preventing harm and achieving effective regulatory outcomes.

Our AML/CFT function is working through a significant period of change and growth. We are strengthening our regulatory approach, preparing for New Zealand’s next Mutual Evaluation and supporting the transition to a single AML/CFT supervisor. This role provides essential leadership capacity while the substantive position holder is on secondment.

The role | Te tūnga

As Manager Operations, you will lead a frontline AML/CFT regulatory team responsible for delivering risk-based compliance, monitoring and regulatory activity.

You will be accountable for the performance, quality, consistency and integrity of the team’s work. You will set clear expectations, support the development and wellbeing of your people, manage operational priorities and ensure regulatory activity is focused on the areas of greatest risk and potential harm.

This is a hands-on operational leadership role. You will work closely with the Deputy Director and other leaders across Regulatory Services to turn strategic priorities into clear plans, allocate resources effectively and respond to emerging risks and delivery pressures.

You will also exercise delegated regulatory decision-making responsibilities, ensuring decisions and interventions are timely, evidence-based, proportionate and legally defensible.

This is a fixed term position to August 2027.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, supporting and developing a team of regulatory professionals
• Setting clear work priorities, performance expectations and standards
• Overseeing the delivery and quality of risk-based AML/CFT regulatory activity
• Ensuring regulatory decisions and interventions are robust, consistent and evidence-based
• Supporting effective compliance, monitoring, investigation and enforcement responses
• Using intelligence, data, sector knowledge and operational experience to inform priorities
• Managing operational risks, resources, performance and delivery pressures
• Promoting continuous improvement and supporting the implementation of new systems, processes and ways of working
• Building effective relationships across the Department, with other agencies and with regulated sectors

The role works across a multi‑agency and internationally connected regulatory system, including engagement with other supervisors, enforcement agencies and international regulatory bodies.

What you bring | Nōu te rōurou

You will be an experienced and credible people leader who can provide clear direction, maintain delivery and support your team through change.

You will bring:

• Extensive (minimum 5 years) experience in operational management and people leadership, ideally within a regulatory, compliance, enforcement, financial crime or similarly complex environment
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing a high‑performing frontline team
• Strong operational planning and delivery skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and allocate resources effectively
• Sound judgement and confidence making or overseeing complex, evidence-based decisions
• An understanding of responsive, risk‑based regulation and effective compliance practice
• Experience leading through ambiguity, change or transformation while maintaining business‑as‑usual delivery
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, including the ability to work effectively across teams, agencies and sectors
• Clear and confident communication skills
• A commitment to building an inclusive, collaborative and high‑performing team culture
• Experience in AML/CFT, financial crime, regulatory compliance, investigations or enforcement would be an advantage.

For you | Mōu

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.

To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see why we’re a great place to work, check out our website https://www.dia.govt.nz/

Benefits –

About Internal Affairs – Careers with us – Benefits – dia.govt.nz

The appointing range for this role is $128,250– $143,640.

Applications for this role close Sunday 13th September at 5pm.

You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions, please email [e-mail]