Principal Advisor

New Zealand Government Joba; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks' annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Career development

Job summary

Kainga Ora – Homes and Communities seeks a Principal Advisor to be a trusted adviser to the Chief People and Assurance Officer and other senior leaders across the organisation. You will provide forward-thinking advice, lead critical planning initiatives, oversee high-profile work programmes, and ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs that support organisational success.

Working in a fast-paced environment, you will navigate complex issues, anticipate risks, support executive engagement, and

Qualifications

• Seasoned principal advisor with exceptional political acumen and judgement.
• Experience advising senior leaders and executives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for executive material.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders and the Chief People and Assurance Officer.
• Oversee People & Assurance work programme.
• Lead business planning and performance monitoring processes.
• Deliver quality assurance across executive, Board and Ministerial content.
• Lead special projects that drive organisational outcomes.
• Support executive communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Identify risks and develop innovative solutions.
• Foster collaboration across the organisation.

Skills

Political acumen

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Risk management

Job description

Lead high-impact work across a complex organisationBe a trusted advisor to senior and executive leadersDrive outcomes that make a difference for New ZealandersTe whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunityAs Principal Advisor, you'll be a trusted advisor to the Chief People and Assurance Officer and other senior leaders across the organisation. You'll provide forward-thinking advice, lead critical planning initiatives, oversee high-profile work programmes, and ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs that support organisational success.Working in a fast-paced environment, you'll navigate complex issues, anticipate emerging risks, support executive engagement, and provide expert guidance across a range or organisational processes and initiatives.Key Responsibilities include:- Provide strategic advice and thought leadership to senior leaders.- Support oversight and delivery of the People & Assurance work programme.- Lead business planning and performance monitoring processes.- Deliver quality assurance across executive, Board and Ministerial-facing content.- Lead special projects and initiatives that drive organisational outcomes.- Support executive communications, stakeholder engagement and strategic relationships.- Identify risks, solve complex problems and develop innovative solutions.- Foster collaboration across the organisation.Ng pumanawatanga ou - What you will bringYou'll be a seasoned principal advisor with exceptional political acumen, strong judgement, and the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation. You thrive in complex environments, can balance competing priorities, and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes under pressure.You'll bring:- Significant experience operating in a principal-level advisory role.- Strong understanding of Parliamentary processes and the Machinery of Government.- Exceptional written communication skills and experience preparing executive-level material.- Proven ability to manage complex workloads and competing priorities.- Expertise in stakeholder management and relationship building.- Sound judgement, discretion and experience handling sensitive information.- Strategic thinking capability and strong problem-solving skills.- A collaborative leadership style with a commitment to mentoring and developing others.Nou te rourou - What's in it for you?We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave and a benefits package including a range of insurances, flexible working arrangements and career development. These benefits are described in more detail here https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz/a-great-place-to-work/benefitsAs a K inga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure that you have all the tools and support you need. We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance. We also want to support and grow your personal and career development through on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments and study opportunities.Mo m tou - Our OrganisationAt K inga Ora, ours is the important responsibility of transforming New Zealands housing choices, outcomes and the entire housing sector by creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive.What is exciting about working for K inga Ora is getting the chance to make a real and positive impact on New Zealanders lives. With skills, planning and purposeful action, our people are creating the homes and neighbourhoods that will build the future of Aotearoa.We are passionate about transforming New Zealand for the better. That includes being a trusted partner for M ori and iwi, protecting and enabling their rights, interests and aspirations under the guidance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.O t tou uara - Our valuesOur values were developed by us, for us. They unite us as an organisation and guide how we work every day.Our values are:- Manaakitanga People at the Heart- Mahi Tahi Better Together- Whanake Be BoldTuhono mai - Join usTo view the position description and apply for this role, please follow the online process via http://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz. Please note: all applicants, including existing employees, need to follow this process. If you have any questions about this role, please contact [e-mail] close on Sunday 11th October 2026 at 11.55pm.We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.If you dont tick all the boxes in this listing but think that you could be a great fit based on your unique background and skillset, we would welcome an application from you.