Operations Advisor | Kaitohu Whakahaere

New Zealand Government; Motueka; On-site; NZD 81,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in Motueka seeks an Operations Advisor to lead planning, reporting, business improvement and governance that support decision-making and delivery of district priorities.

You will partner with operational leaders, turn data into insights, and drive operational excellence and conservation outcomes across the district.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering operational planning and reporting.
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Strong governance, risk, and assurance capabilities.
• Experience coordinating district-wide priorities and work programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide district-wide assurance that key operational processes, reporting obligations, governance requirements and risk management practices are consistently applied and maintained.
• Oversee planning, reporting and budget management for the district.
• Work alongside Principal Rangers to develop business plans and translate operational priorities into actionable work programmes.
• Create the quarterly and annual business plans for the district.
• Produce reporting and insights to identify gaps and efficiencies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Treaty partners, iwi, community groups and internal stakeholders to support conservation outcomes.

Skills

Operational planning

Governance

Reporting & analytics

Stakeholder relationships

Risk management

Data interpretation

Job description

Drive continuous improvement initiatives and enable excellencePermanent Role | $80,695 - $101,951Motueka based: coastal living, outdoor adventure, and a welcoming community.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role

As the Operations Advisor, you'll lead operational planning, performance reporting, business improvement, and governance processes that support effective decision-making and the successful delivery of DOC's priorities. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you'll work closely with operational leaders to coordinate planning and reporting, identify risks and opportunities, and support the effective delivery of district priorities. By turning data into actionable insights and fostering strong working relationships, you'll help drive operational excellence and conservation outcomes.

The position will be focussed on:

• Providing district-wide assurance that key operational processes, reporting obligations, governance requirements and risk management practices are consistently applied and maintained.
• overseeing planning, reporting and budget management for the district
• Working alongside Principal Rangers to develop business plans and translate operational priorities into actionable work programmes.
• creating the quarterly and annual business plans for the district
• producing reporting and insights to identify gaps and areas for improvement and efficiencies
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with Treaty partners, iwi, community groups and internal stakeholders to support the delivery of conservation outcomes across the district.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Strong operational understanding, ideally gained in conservation, biosecurity, land management, field operations, infrastructure, or a similar operational environment.
• Ability to work across diverse work programmes and understand how they contribute to district-wide priorities and outcomes.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to maintain operational disciplines, governance requirements, and assurance processes.
• Confidence working with complex systems and data sources, including financial, asset, biodiversity, and recreation reporting.
• Proactive and organised, anticipating issues before they arise and following through to completion.
• Analytical mindset, with the ability to generate meaningful insights that support effective operational decision-making.
• Tech-savvy and confident adopting new systems, technologies, and ways of working.
• Experience translating operational priorities into practical business plans, reporting frameworks, and deliverable work programmes.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including iwi, community groups, and operational teams.
• An understanding of the Māori‑Crown relationship and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it relates to the work of DOC.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default. We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Salary: $80,695 - $101,951, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 7th October.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor, [e-mail]