Portfolio Manager

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) is seeking a Portfolio Manager to join the Regulatory team within Commercial Transport Regulation. You will influence industry and government partners, shape strategies to improve safety, and reduce non-compliance across transport sectors.

This role sits in the Design, Plan and Optimise layer of the Regulatory Operating Model and requires strong system-level thinking. Reporting to the Head of Commercial Transport Regulation, you will lead sector-wide

Qualifications

• Senior leadership or advisory experience in regulatory, transport, or complex systems.
• Ability to translate regulatory strategy into practical programmes delivering safety and compliance.
• Strong communication skills to influence senior government and industry stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of strategic initiatives to improve safety and compliance.
• Build and manage relationships with industry groups, government agencies and partners.
• Use insights and system thinking to inform harm reduction programmes.
• Identify risks and opportunities across the sector and advise senior leaders.
• Represent NZTA in industry forums and collaborate across the regulatory system.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory strategy

System-level thinking

Change management

Job description

• Strategic leadership role within Commercial Transport Regulation
• Influence industry and government partners to improve safety outcomes
• Located in Auckland or Wellington

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Portfolio Manager to join Te Rōpū Waeture | Regulatory, within the Commercial Transport Regulation team. This role sits within the Design, Plan and Optimise layer of the Regulatory Operating Model and plays a key part in shaping and delivering targeted strategies to improve safety and reduce regulatory non-compliance across commercial transport industry sectors.

• Strategic leadership role within Commercial Transport Regulation
• Influence industry and government partners to improve safety outcomes
• Help target system level harms
• Located in Auckland or Wellington

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Portfolio Manager to join Te Rōpū Waeture | Regulatory, within the Commercial Transport Regulation team. This role sits within the Design, Plan and Optimise layer of the Regulatory Operating Model and plays a key part in shaping and delivering targeted strategies to improve safety and reduce regulatory non-compliance across commercial transport industry sectors.

Working closely with the Head of Commercial Transport Regulation, you will help ensure our regulatory approach is risk-informed, future focused, and aligned with NZTA’s overarching regulatory strategy, Tū ake, Tū māia. You will lead sector-wide initiatives that support safety performance beyond compliance and help reduce unnecessary regulatory burden.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic initiatives that improve commercial transport safety and compliance outcomes.
• Build and manage key relationships with industry groups, regulated parties, government agencies and delivery partners.
• Use operational insights, evidence and system-level thinking to inform harm reduction programmes and improve regulatory outcomes.
• Identify risks, issues and opportunities across the commercial transport sector and provide advice to senior leaders.
• Represent NZTA in industry forums and work collaboratively across the wider regulatory system.

You will find out more about the role here: Position Description.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring significant experience in a senior leadership or advisory role within a regulatory, transport, or similarly complex system. You will have strong strategic thinking skills, sound judgement, and the ability to translate regulatory strategy into practical programmes that deliver measurable safety and compliance outcomes.

You will be confident working with senior stakeholders across government and industry, using relationships to influence outcomes, align effort and support improved safety performance. Your communication skills will be a real strength, including the ability to explain complex regulatory and operational matters clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences.

You Will Bring

• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships across government and industry.
• Strong system-level thinking and the ability to turn strategy into action.
• Experience influencing and building credibility across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A proactive, outcome-focused approach and commitment to continuous improvement.
• An in-depth understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements within the New Zealand land transport system, particularly commercial transport operations and safety.

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of, Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of, Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public service.

Mō mātou | About us

Te Rōpū Waeture | Regulatory is 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 a top priority for NZTA, and the Regulatory Services group aims to improve safety and reduce the risk of harm by being a firm and fair real-world regulator.

The Commercial Transport Regulation team provides effective and efficient regulation of licensed commercial transport operators to improve safety and ensure safety risks are actively managed by those responsible. This is delivered through licensing, compliance monitoring and regulatory response, using an intelligence-led and risk-based approach.

At NZTA, our purpose is Waka Kotahi. Moving. Together: a land transport system connecting people, products and places for a thriving Aotearoa.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

This is an opportunity to contribute to work that has real impact for Aotearoa, helping improve safety outcomes across the commercial transport system. You will work in a complex, meaningful regulatory environment, partnering across government, industry and NZTA to influence change and support better outcomes for New Zealanders.

Along with our other benefits, we also offer 5 weeks’ annual leave and an Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance scheme available for all permanent employees.

Rā Katinga | Applications close

23 September 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.