Principal Advisor | Entity Performance

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

MBIE is seeking a Principal Advisor, Entity Performance to lead performance monitoring and governance support across a portfolio of Crown entities. You will connect policy, ownership, funding, and delivery perspectives; help senior leaders and Ministers set clear expectations; and provide robust advice on entity performance, strategic risks, investments, and ownership matters.

This role offers a centre-of-government position focusing on governance, accountability and value for New Zealanders,

Qualifications

• Significant experience in economics, finance, investment and strategy.
• Ability to operate in complex environments and influence senior leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication with a customer focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead performance monitoring and governance support across Crown entities.
• Advise Ministers and senior leaders, set clear expectations and oversight.
• Develop frameworks for performance, risk, investment, and accountability.

Skills

Economics

Finance

Investment

Strategy

Performance monitoring

Policy

Education

Tertiary qualification in economics/finance/public policy

Job description

As Principal Advisor, you will play a leading role in MBIE’s system of Crown entity performance monitoring and governance support. You will lead some of the most complex, sensitive and high profile performance and accountability work across MBIE’s monitored entities, providing authoritative advice and oversight on organisational performance, financial management, strategic direction, governance performance, capability, investment cases and risks and opportunities.
Acting as a key interface between MBIE and a portfolio of Crown entities, you will connect policy, ownership, funding, and delivery perspectives, and work with senior leaders to set and monitor strategic outcomes and performance indicators. You will build trusted relationships with Ministers’ offices, Board directors, senior leaders, MBIE teams, Crown entities, and other public sector agencies.

Strengthen the performance of Crown entities
MBIE partners with a diverse range of Crown entities to deliver on the Government’s goals and objectives. These include:

• Regulators such as the Electricity Authority, WorkSafe New Zealand, the Commerce Commission and the Financial Markets Authority
• Delivery agencies such as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Tourism New Zealand, Invest New Zealand
• Crown companies such as the New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology, Bioeconomy Science Institute, Earth Sciences New Zealand, as well as New Zealand Growth Capital Partners
• The Accident Compensation Corporation

MBIE’s Entity Performance branch currently has an active work programme spanning merger activity, entity disestablishment, major business cases, investigations and reviews. The branch will also monitor the Accident Compensation Corporation from 1 December.

MBIE is seeking a Principal Advisor, Entity Performance to lead performance monitoring and governance support across a portfolio of Crown entities. You will connect policy, ownership, funding, and delivery perspectives; help senior leaders and Ministers set clear expectations; and provide robust advice on entity performance, strategic risks, investments, and significant ownership matters.

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of government on issues that affect New Zealanders, helping ensure monitored entities are well governed, financially sustainable, focused on the right outcomes, and accountable for delivering value to New Zealanders.

Skills and Experience Required
To be successful in this role, you will bring significant experience in economics, finance, investment, strategy, performance monitoring, policy or a related discipline, together with a demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex environments. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate a mix of:

• Strong commercial acumen and financial literacy.
• Experience influencing senior decision-makers and building credibility with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and deliver high-quality advice on complex issues.
• Proven ability to think strategically, develop frameworks, and manage systems and processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong customer focus and commitment to professional service.
• Understanding of data systems and frameworks, and experience using data analytics and insights.
• Experience and interest in leading, coaching, and developing others, while contributing to quality assurance and continuous improvement across the team.
• Understanding of government decision-making, Cabinet processes, legislation development and, parliamentary processes, accountability, and reporting.
• A relevant tertiary qualification is required, preferably in economics, finance, law, commerce, science or public policy.

At time of application you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Why join MBIE?
At MBIE, we are committed to creating a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real outcomes for New Zealanders. You'll join a collaborative and supportive environment where your expertise will help shape outcomes that matter to New Zealanders.
We offer:

• Meaningful and challenging work that influences New Zealand's future.
• Opportunities to lead high-profile initiatives, working with experienced colleagues, senior leaders, and Crown entities.
• A flexible and supportive working environment.
• A commitment to wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Māia– Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means lift to make successful.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.