Principal Advisor Planning Reporting and Risk

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 143,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development in Wellington is seeking a Principal Advisor Planning, Reporting and Risk to lead planning, external performance reporting and risk management. You will provide clear, evidence-based advice to senior leaders and ensure planning and reporting are connected to organisational priorities.

You will analyse information, identify trends and risks, and translate complex data into practical strategic guidance.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in strategic and operational planning, external performance reporting, and risk management in the public sector.
• Experience developing non-financial performance measures frameworks, tools, and processes.
• Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills to turn data into clear advice for senior leaders.
• Proficiency with planning and reporting tools such as Excel, Power BI, Planview.
• Knowledge 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.
• Ability to explain complex information clearly with stakeholders at all levels.
• Organisational skills to manage changing priorities; tertiary qualification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of integrated planning, performance, and risk frameworks.
• Provide strategic insights through data-driven reporting and analysis.
• Ensure alignment between planning, performance measurement, and risk management.
• Develop planning and reporting processes and systems, including annual and quarterly reporting.
• Identify, assess, and monitor organisational risks and mitigation strategies.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and briefings for executive and governance audiences.
• Collaborate with business units to ensure integrated planning and risk activities.
• Develop tools, templates, and guidance for planning, reporting, and risk capability.
• Monitor external trends and internal performance for continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic planning

Operational planning

External performance reporting

Risk management

Data analysis

Critical thinking

Communication

Relationship management

Influencing skills

Explaining complex information

Change management

Excel

Power BI

Planview

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Planview

Job description

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Principal Advisor Planning Reporting and Risk

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.

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.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00

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.

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.