Manager - Performance, Planning and Improvement

nztagovtnz; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency in Wellington is seeking a Manager Regulatory Planning, Performance & Improvement to lead the Commercial Transport regulatory sub-system. You will oversee regulatory planning, performance, assurance and continuous improvement, aligning resources with strategic priorities and delivering evidence-based insights to support decision‑making.

You will bring a strong regulatory leadership background, proven performance management experience, and the ability to translate data into

Qualifications

• Experienced regulatory leader with frontline regulatory experience.
• Strong performance management background.
• Ability to translate complex data into meaningful insights for decision‑making.
• Experience leading regulatory improvement and operational transformation.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement, with clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end oversight of Commercial Transport regulatory performance and outcomes.
• Translate strategic direction into integrated operational plans and priorities.
• Establish and oversee consistent performance, reporting, assurance and quality frameworks.
• Use data and insights to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Provide authoritative advice to senior leaders on regulatory interventions and priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement and embed learning into frameworks and tools.
• Sponsor development of guidance and tools enabling frontline delivery.
• Lead and develop a high-performing specialist team.
• Build strong relationships across regulatory, operations, government and industry stakeholders.
• Oversee high-quality strategic reporting and responses to ministerial and formal requirements.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

Strategic planning

Performance management

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory improvement

Communication

Systems thinking

Change management

Decision making in complex env

Job description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Senior leadership opportunity within our Regulatory Group

Lead planning, performance and continuous improvement across the Commercial Transport regulatory sub-system

Use evidence, insight and systems thinking to strengthen regulatory delivery and outcomes

Bring your proven regulatory leadership experience

We have an exciting senior leadership opportunity for a Manager Regulatory Planning, Performance & Improvement to support our Commercial Transport regulatory sub-system. Created as part of the implementation of NZTA's new Regulatory Operating Model, this role provides end-to-end oversight of regulatory planning, performance, assurance and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Head of Commercial Transport, you will help ensure regulatory resources, activities and interventions are strategically aligned, risk-informed and targeted where they will have the greatest impact. You will translate regulatory strategy into integrated operational plans, monitor system performance and provide authoritative, evidence-based insights to support prioritisation and decision-making.

This is an influential leadership role for an experienced regulatory professional who understands the realities of frontline regulation and can balance strategic thinking with practical delivery. Working across the regulatory system, you will strengthen consistency, quality and accountability while identifying opportunities to improve how the Commercial Transport sub-system operates.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading end-to-end oversight of Commercial Transport regulatory performance and outcomes
• Translating strategic direction and regulatory intent into integrated operational plans and priorities
• Establishing and overseeing consistent performance, reporting, assurance and quality frameworks
• Using data and insights to identify trends, emerging risks, performance issues and improvement opportunities
• Providing authoritative advice to senior leaders on regulatory interventions, priorities and trade‑offs
• Driving continuous improvement and embedding learning into frameworks, tools and ways of working
• Sponsoring the development of guidance, processes and tools that enable high-quality frontline delivery
• Leading and developing a high-performing specialist team
• Building strong relationships across regulatory, operational, government and industry stakeholders
• Overseeing high-quality strategic reporting and responses to Ministerial, OIA and other formal requirements.

You can find out more about the role in the Position Description .

Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced regulatory leader with a strong regulatory background and proven experience in operational regulation. You will bring a strong performance management background, the ability to translate complex data into meaningful insights, and practical experience leading regulatory improvement. You will understand how to apply regulatory systems, theory and good practice, translating strategic direction into practical delivery within a large, complex operating environment.

You will bring:

• A strong regulatory background, including significant experience in operational regulation and an applied understanding of regulatory systems, frameworks and government practice
• Proven leadership experience, including building high-performing teams and strengthening capability
• A strong performance management background, with significant experience in strategic and operational planning, reporting and assurance
• Strong analytical and systems-thinking capability, with proven experience translating complex data, evidence and risk information into clear insights that support decision-making
• Experience developing frameworks, tools, processes and guidance that support consistent regulatory delivery
• Demonstrated experience leading regulatory improvement, continuous improvement or operational transformation
• Strong influencing, stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• The ability to provide clear, concise and authoritative advice to senior leaders
• Sound judgement and confidence operating in complex, ambiguous and evolving environments
• A practical approach to translating strategy and insights into sustainable delivery improvements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to develop your understanding of, Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also bring an understanding of, or willingness to develop an appreciation of, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within the public sector.

Mō mātou | About us

Te Rōpū Waeture | Regulatory

As the lead regulator for land transport, our purpose is to ensure the system is safe, efficient, effective and operates in the public interest. Safety is our top priority, and we are committed to reducing harm by being a firm and fair real-world regulator, grounded in good regulatory practice and Te Ao