Principal Advisor – Executive Performance (Fixed Term)

Rotorua Lakes Council; Rotorua; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rotorua Lakes Council seeks a Principal Adviser on a fixed-term 18‑month basis to provide high‑quality, future‑focused advice to our Executive Leadership Team. You will shape strategic decision‑making and improve processes, reports and briefing material.

You’ll partner with senior leaders to tackle complex challenges, drive innovation, and champion digital tools, automation and AI to enhance productivity and service delivery across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Strategic advisory experience preparing briefing materials for senior decision-makers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to leverage AI and digital tools to improve reporting and processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality, future‑focused strategic advice to the Executive Leadership Team.
• Shape strategic decision‑making and improve business processes across the organisation.
• Champion practical innovations that enhance productivity and service delivery.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive advisory

Communication

Analytical thinking

Tools

AI-enabled productivity tools

Job description

Are you a strategic thinker who can turn complex information into clear, compelling advice while embracing emerging technologies and innovative ways of working? Rotorua Lakes Council is seeking an experienced Principal Adviser to join us on a fixed-term basis for 18 months, providing high-quality, future-focused support to our Executive Leadership Team.

This is a unique opportunity to work across the organisation, shaping strategic decision-making, improving business processes, and lifting the quality of advice, reports, presentations and Council papers. You'll partner with senior leaders to tackle complex challenges, identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement, and help connect today's decisions with tomorrow's community outcomes.

A key focus of the role is helping Council explore smarter ways of working through digital tools, automation and emerging AI technologies. You'll identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve reporting and analysis, reduce duplication, and support leaders to use technology effectively and responsibly. You'll also help build organisational capability by coaching others, improving templates and decision-making frameworks, and championing practical innovations that enhance productivity and service delivery.

We're looking for a highly skilled communicator with experience preparing advice and briefing material for senior decision-makers in a complex environment. You'll bring excellent analytical thinking, strong political and organisational awareness, outstanding writing and presentation skills, and a passion for continuous improvement. Confidence using Microsoft 365, AI-enabled productivity tools, and digital technologies is essential, along with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence at all levels.

In return, you'll join an organisation committed to serving its community, embracing innovation, and fostering a culture where people, purpose and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.

If you're excited about combining strategic thinking, executive-level advisory work, and the opportunities that digital innovation and AI can bring to local government, we'd love to hear from you. This is a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact through a fixed-term 18-month role that will help shape the future of Rotorua Lakes Council and the community it serves.