Principal Advisor

Wellington City Council; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working options

Health and wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Learning and development programmes

Job summary

Wellington City Council is seeking an experienced Principal Advisor to provide high-level strategic support to the Chief Economic and Engagement Officer and the leadership team. This pivotal role sits at the centre of strategy, planning, performance and decision-making across a diverse and dynamic group.

You will translate big-picture direction into practical action, navigate ambiguity, manage risk, and influence senior stakeholders to shape how services are delivered for Wellington and its

Qualifications

• Experienced senior advisor with background in strategy, policy, planning or related discipline within a complex environment.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and ability to operate at both big-picture and detail level.
• Experience improving organisational performance, reviewing service delivery, and providing strategic advice in complex settings.
• Ability to build credibility quickly, influence stakeholders, challenge constructively, and navigate competing priorities.
• Prior experience in local or central government is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Shape direction with senior leaders to drive organisational priorities and performance.
• Translate strategy into clear, actionable plans and support major strategic initiatives.
• Support organisational change and key planning cycles including Long-term Plan and Annual Plan.
• Influence decisions and shape service delivery to deliver meaningful outcomes for Wellington and communities.
• Collaborate with executive leaders to drive continuous improvement and risk management.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder influence

Policy & planning

Organisational performance

Change management

Risk management

Commercial acumen

Communication

Political awareness

Leadership in complex environments

Job description

Are you a strategic thinker who thrives in complexity, influences at senior levels, and enjoys turning big-picture direction into practical action?

We're looking for an experienced Principal Advisor to provide high-level support to our Chief Economic and Engagement Officer, Anna Calver and her leadership team. This is a pivotal role that sits at the centre of strategy, planning, performance and decision-making across a diverse and dynamic group.

This is an opportunity for a confident and credible advisor who can navigate ambiguity, challenge thinking, identify risks and opportunities, and help shape how services are delivered for Wellington's future.

The Economic and Engagement Business Unit is responsible for some of Council's most visible and strategically important work. From strengthening Wellington's economy and supporting arts and culture, to leading communications, engagement, partnerships and city activation initiatives, the Economic and Engagement team helps shape how Wellington grows, connects and thrives.

As Principal Advisor, you'll operate at the centre of this work, partnering with senior leaders to drive organisational priorities, manage risk, improve performance, and ensure the WCC is positioned to deliver meaningful outcomes for Wellington and its communities.

Āu ake mahi | What you'll do

As Principal Advisor, you'll work closely with senior leaders to shape direction, improve organisational performance, and ensure the business unit remains focused on delivering high-value outcomes. You'll play a key role in translating organisational strategy into clear, actionable plans while supporting major strategic initiatives, organisational change, and key organisational processes including the Long-term Plan, Annual Plan and business planning cycles.

Ngā tohu me ngā wheako | Qualifications and experience

You'll be an experienced senior advisor with a strong background in strategy, policy, business planning, organisational performance, or a related discipline within a complex environment.

You bring exceptional strategic thinking skills and are comfortable operating at both a big-picture and detailed level. You have experience improving organisational performance, reviewing service delivery, and providing strategic advice in complex environments.

Your ability to build credibility quickly, influence stakeholders, challenge constructively, and navigate competing priorities sets you apart. You'll be politically aware, commercially minded, highly organised, and able to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

Experience working within local government, central government, or another large and complex organisation will be highly regarded.

This is a rare opportunity to work alongside executive leaders and contribute to some of the most significant opportunities and challenges facing Wellington. You'll influence decisions, shape priorities, improve how services are delivered, and help drive outcomes that make a meaningful difference for our city and communities.

If you're a high-calibre advisor looking for a role where you can genuinely influence direction, lead strategic thinking, and drive organisational improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities.

We welcome applications from all people and like our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Accessibility Support:

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: [e-mail]

Applications close 25 October 2026. Please note that we may engage with applicants prior to the vacancy closing and/or close applications ahead of this date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

All applications must be submitted online and must have the right to work in New Zealand – we will not accept emailed applications.

All employees must undergo a Criminal Conviction Check, the results of which will be held on your employee file if employed.

Expertise: Marketing and communications, Policy, planning and strategy