Manager Strategy and Governance

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 132,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Immigration New Zealand as a Manager Strategy and Governance, where you'll drive strategic planning and governance initiatives. This full-time, permanent role involves shaping future strategies and overseeing key functions to ensure alignment with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's priorities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing organizational strategy.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in high-performing teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for building relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive cohesive strategic plans for INZ.
• Manage governance functions ensuring strategic priorities are met.
• Lead discussions across the organization to coordinate actions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Governance expertise

Job description

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• Play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of New Zealand’s immigration system
• Lead governance and strategy functions that support Immigration New Zealand and MBIE-wide priorities
• Influence senior decision-making and ensure effective oversight of strategic initiatives
• Join a high-impact leadership team driving system-wide change and continuous improvement
• Wellington | Permanent Full-time
• Salary range $132,417 to $160,472

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to join the Office of the Deputy Secretary as Manager Strategy and Governance. This pivotal role will drive strategic planning and governance across INZ and the wider immigration system, ensuring alignment with MBIE’s priorities and effective oversight of key initiatives.

Key responsibilities also include:

• Develop and drive a cohesive strategic plan for INZ and the wider immigration system.
• Partner with the Head of the Office of the Deputy Secretary to shape and lead INZ’s strategic direction.
• Manage governance functions to ensure strategic priorities are aligned, risks are addressed, and decisions are implemented effectively.
• Facilitate high-level discussions to prioritise and coordinate actions across the organisation.
• Manage a small team of advisors while directly contributing to strategic and governance initiatives.

Skills and Experience Required

• Proven experience in developing and driving organisational strategy, with the ability to lead strategic conversations and influence senior decision-makers.
• Demonstrated ability to support governance boards, including designing and delivering high-quality tools, templates, and processes to enable effective decision-making.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and motivating high-performing teams in complex environments.
• Advanced strategic writing and editing capabilities, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively across different audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility, influence, and maintain relationships across diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to quickly understand complex systems and contexts and apply strategic thinking to align planning and governance with broader organisational goals.
• Skilled in managing multiple workstreams under tight deadlines, while maintaining quality and strategic focus.
• Sound understanding of the machinery of government and state sector processes, with experience navigating compliance and governance frameworks.

At the time of application, you must be a New Citizen or hold a Permanent Resident Visa.

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.

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

Applications close on Monday 14 July 2025 at 11.59pm.