Principal Advisor Planning Reporting and Risk

Marketplace; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 143,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development is seeking a Principal Advisor for Planning, Reporting and Risk in Wellington. You will lead planning, external performance reporting and risk management across DSS and related groups, turning data into strategic advice for senior leaders.

Working with executive teams, you will design integrated planning frameworks, develop robust reporting processes, monitor risks, and provide clear dashboards and briefings.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic and operational planning, external performance reporting, and risk management in the public sector.
• Experience developing reporting methods for non-financial performance measures frameworks and best practice, tools, and processes.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear advice for senior leaders.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of integrated planning, performance, and risk frameworks that align with the Groups priorities and government accountability processes.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leaders through high-quality, data-driven reporting and analysis.
• Ensure alignment between planning, performance measurement, and risk management to support informed decision-making.
• Develop and maintain robust planning and reporting processes and systems, including annual business planning, quarterly reporting, and performance reporting.
• Identify, assess, and monitor organisational risks, and support the development of mitigation strategies and risk response plans.
• Prepare clear, concise, and insightful reports, dashboards, and briefings for executive and governance audiences.
• Collaborate with business units to ensure consistency and integration of planning and risk activities across the organisation.
• Lead or contribute to the development of tools, templates, and guidance materials that support effective planning, reporting, and risk capability.
• Monitor external trends and internal performance to identify emerging risks and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic planning

Operational planning

External performance reporting

Risk management

Analytical skills

Communication

Relationship management

Influencing

Te ao Māori understanding

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Planview

Job description

# Principal Advisor Planning Reporting and Risk at Ministry of Social Development, Wellington - Wairarapa## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role* **Wellington | Permanent, full-time****About our team | Mō te tīma**Disability Support Services (DSS) is focused on improving outcomes for disabled people and their whānau.You will join the Business Support team, which helps the DSS group plan effectively, understand its performance story, and manage risk. The team works with senior leaders and business areas across DSS to provide clear information and support sound decision-making.We work in a collaborative environment where people share knowledge, build strong relationships, and look for practical ways to improve how we work.**About the role | Mō te tūnga**As Principal Advisor Planning, Reporting and Risk, you will lead work across business planning, external performance reporting, and risk management.You will provide clear, evidence-based advice to senior leaders and help ensure planning, reporting, and risk processes are connected and support organisational priorities. You will analyse information, identify trends and emerging risks, and turn complex data into useful strategic advice.You will also:* Lead the design and implementation of integrated planning, performance, and risk frameworks that align with the Groups priorities and government accountability processes.* Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leaders through high-quality, data-driven reporting and analysis.* Ensure alignment between planning, performance measurement, and risk management to support informed decision-making.* Develop and maintain robust planning and reporting processes and systems, including annual business planning, quarterly reporting, and performance reporting.* Identify, assess, and monitor organisational risks, and support the development of mitigation strategies and risk response plans.* Prepare clear, concise, and insightful reports, dashboards, and briefings for executive and governance audiences.* Collaborate with business units to ensure consistency and integration of planning and risk activities across the organisation.* Lead or contribute to the development of tools, templates, and guidance materials that support effective planning, reporting, and risk capability.* Monitor external trends and internal performance to identify emerging risks and opportunities for continuous improvement.This is a Wellington-based role reporting to the Manager Business Support.**What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga**You will be an experienced principal-level advisor who can see the bigger picture while maintaining a strong focus on detail and delivery.You will bring:* strong experience in strategic and operational planning, external performance reporting, and risk management, within the public sector* experience developing reporting methods, in particular experience and knowledge of non-financial performance measures frameworks and best practice, tools, and processes* strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear advice for senior leaders* confidence using planning and reporting tools such as Excel, Power BI, Planview, or similar systems* an understanding of public sector accountability, governance, and Treasury reporting requirements* experience in business analysis, process improvement, or programme management* excellent communication, relationship management, and influencing skills* the ability to explain complex information clearly and work effectively with people at all levels* a practical and organised approach, with the ability to manage changing priorities* a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.* Knowledge of disability issues would be an advantage. You will also be committed to improving your understanding of te ao Māori and confidently engaging with Māori, whānau, hapū, and iwi.**Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga**A copy of the position description can be found here Principal Advisor Position Description**Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00****Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 22nd November 2026.****About us | Mō mātou**The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.**How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono**Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment.To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [e-mail] MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.**Joining us | Ko te hono mai**Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Ministry of Social Development || Location: | Wellington - Wairarapa || Position type: | Permanent - Full Time || Category: | Project/Procurement/Risk Assurance || Date listed: | 11-Nov-2026 || Salary range: | $142,874 - $177,798 || Closing date: | 22-Nov-2026 || Reference: | NZ/1957059 || Attachment: | principal-advsior-planning-reporting-risk.docx (Word, 228KB)Job Specification || File links: | || Website: | https://jobs.msd.govt.nz |Note: You may be redirected to the employer's careers website.