Plant Risk Team Lead — People, Change & Impact

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI); Wellington; On-site; NZD 122,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Annual Wellness payment

Career development and internal growth

Job summary

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) seeks a Team Manager Plant Risk in Wellington CBD to lead a team of technical specialists delivering science-based plant risk advice that supports New Zealand's biosecurity system.

You will foster an inclusive, high‑performing culture, enable capability development, and work with Plant and Pathways leaders to deliver high‑quality guidance, drive continuous improvement and adapt to evolving priorities and technologies.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong coaching, communication and people leadership skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across a range of stakeholders.
• Experience leading teams through change and improvement initiatives.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset and interest in new ways of working.
• Understanding of science, risk, regulatory or technical environments would be advantageous.
• Experience in plant biosecurity would be beneficial but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of technical specialists
• Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture
• Support the delivery of high-quality plant risk advice and work programmes
• Build strong relationships across Biosecurity New Zealand and wider MPI
• Lead change initiatives and drive continuous improvement
• Contribute to wider leadership across the Plant and Pathways group

Skills

Leadership

People management

Coaching

Stakeholder influence

Change management

Job description

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) seeks a Team Manager Plant Risk in Wellington CBD to lead a team of technical specialists delivering science-based plant risk advice that supports New Zealand's biosecurity system.

You will foster an inclusive, high‑performing culture, enable capability development, and work with Plant and Pathways leaders to deliver high‑quality guidance, drive continuous improvement and adapt to evolving priorities and technologies.