Principal Advisor Performance and Strategy

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 132,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Wellness benefits

Job summary

MBIE in Wellington or Christchurch is seeking a Principal Advisor Performance and Strategy to lead system performance monitoring and regulatory stewardship for the building regulatory system.

You will turn complex data into clear evidence-based insights to inform governance and drive continuous improvement, working with senior leaders and the Performance, Insights and Evaluation teams across the building regulatory system.

Qualifications

• Experience in monitoring and reporting on system performance.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement at all levels.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytics; present evidence-based insights clearly.
• Demonstrated leadership driving delivery and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of the public sector environment and regulatory systems.
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
• Knowledge of NZ building regulatory system is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level performance monitoring and reporting for the building regulatory system.
• Identify insights, emerging trends and future challenges affecting the building regulatory system.
• Deliver high-quality reporting and advice for governance groups.
• Collaborate across the building regulatory system with operational and data teams.
• Develop and maintain regulatory system risk reviews.

Skills

System performance monitoring

Relationship management

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Public sector knowledge

NZ work rights

Job description

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Principal Advisor Performance and Strategy

Date: 23 Oct 2026

Location: Wellington, NZ, 6011

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead system performance, insights and regulatory stewardship work for the building regulatory system
• Turn evidence into actionable insights
• Permanent position based in Wellington or Christchurch
• Salary: $132,417 - $160,472 plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits

We're looking for an experienced leader to help support the continuous improvement of New Zealand's building regulatory system.

You will be able to turn complex information into clear insights, drawing on a range of qualitative and quantitative evidence to identify trends, inform decisions, and support continuous improvement.

You will provide leadership in understanding regulatory issues, identifying emerging risks and opportunities, and generating insights that support the long-term performance and stewardship of the building regulatory system.

In this role, you will:

• Lead system-level performance monitoring and reporting for the building regulatory system.
• Identify and interpret insights, emerging trends and future challenges affecting the building regulatory system.
• Deliver high-quality reporting and advice for governance groups.
• Use your influence and collaboration skills to bring people together, understand complex system issues, and help shape solutions that improve system performance.
• Develop and maintain regulatory system risk reviews.

This is a senior leadership role reporting to the Manager, System Performance and Implementation. You will closely with the Performance, Insights and Evaluation team and across the building regulatory system with operational and data teams.

If you're ready for a challenging role where you can make a meaningful contribution to the performance and future direction of New Zealand's building regulatory system, we'd love to hear from you.

Skills and Experience Required - Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana:

For the role of Principal Advisor Performance and Strategy, ideally you will have the following qualities:

• Experience in monitoring and reporting on system performance using appropriate frameworks, processes, and tools.
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, engage, and communicate effectively at all levels, including with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, with the ability to simplify complex information and present evidence-based insights in a clear and compelling way.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to drive delivery, collaboration, and support continuous improvement.
• Strong understanding of the public sector environment, government decision-making processes, and regulatory systems.
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
• Knowledge of or understanding of the building regulatory system in New Zealand is an advantage, but not a requirement.

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 ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o 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.

Applications close on Sunday, 8th Nov at 11.59pm.