Principal Advisor SAR Aviation

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 156,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Income protection

Life insurance

Job summary

Maritime New Zealand is seeking a Principal Advisor SAR Aviation in Wellington. The role provides strategic leadership across New Zealand's search and rescue aviation environment, coordinating with government agencies, aviation operators and emergency responders to identify opportunities for improvement and invest in future capability.

The position requires leading complex programmes, strong stakeholder management and the ability to translate strategic insights into practical delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex programmes or strategic initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across New Zealand's search and rescue aviation environment.
• Lead nationally significant programmes and initiatives.
• Influence strategic investment decisions.
• Strengthen partnerships across government and industry.
• Support development of modern systems, processes and technology.

Job description

# Principal Advisor SAR Aviation at Maritime New Zealand, Wellington## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role**Mō mātou | About Us** Our Vision: Preventing Harm. Saving Lives. Securing our FutureWe play a key role in the guardianship of New Zealand waterways. We’re bringing together our aroha, work and skills to achieve our outcomes of sustainable supply chains and sectors, safe people and operations, secure ports and ships, and clean seas and waterways.Our values are about who we are as individuals and the behaviours we expect from each other at Maritime NZ.Care | Kia Tika - We care for each other and do the right thingConnect | Kotahitanga - We unite in a common purposeCourage | Kia Māia - We are brave, capable and confident**Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the team**The RCCNZ and Safety Systems team focuses on two main outcomes. the first being the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand that provides 24/7 Search and Rescue coordination for all major maritime and aviation search and rescue missions within New Zealand’s search and rescue region and all missions from someone activating a distress beacon (including land-based operations). The other key element is Safety Systems which supports critical Search and Rescue systems, national maritime emergency communication, satellites and Aids to Navigation systems (including our lighthouse network). This business unit also supports the development, implementation, improvement and delivery of capabilities to respond to general maritime incidents and marine pollution incidents as part of the wider MNZ Safety and Response group.**Te tūnga | The role**This newly established principal advisory role will provide strategic leadership across New Zealand's search and rescue aviation environment. You'll work with a diverse network of government agencies, aviation operators, emergency response organisations and sector leaders to identify opportunities for improvement, drive long-term planning, and support investment in future capability.Success in the role will require someone who can see both the big picture and the operational realities. You'll be equally comfortable discussing future operating models with senior leaders, navigating cross-agency priorities, and translating complex challenges into practical solutions.You'll have the opportunity to:* Shape long-term aviation capability and coordination arrangements* Lead nationally significant programmes and initiatives* Influence strategic investment decisions* Strengthen partnerships across government and industry* Support the development of modern systems, processes and technology* Help ensure New Zealand remains ready to respond when lives are at risk**Nōu te rourou | What you bring**We're seeking an experienced strategic leader with a strong background in aviation and a track record of operating successfully in complex operational, regulatory or public sector environments. Ideally, you'll bring experience from aviation operations, aviation programme delivery, capability development, air services, defence aviation, or other aviation-related settings where safety, coordination and stakeholder engagement are critical to success.Experience in search and rescue, emergency management, defence, transport, infrastructure or other system-based operational environments would be highly advantageous, particularly where you have worked across multiple agencies or stakeholders.You'll bring:* A track record of leading complex programmes or strategic initiatives* Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills* The ability to work across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes* Excellent judgement and political awareness* Experience developing strategic advice, business cases or investment proposals* A systems-thinking mindset and a genuine curiosity about how large, interconnected systems perform and improve* Confidence engaging with executives, governance groups and operational practitioners alike* Significant aviation experience and a strong understanding of aviation operations, capability, systems or service deliveryAviation experience is essential for success in this role. Experience in search and rescue, emergency response, defence or other multi-agency operational environments would be an advantage, but we're particularly interested in candidates who can apply deep aviation knowledge while bringing people together, navigating complexity and driving system-wide improvement.**Mōu | For you**We aim to be a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported with a sense of belonging. We encourage our people to actively contribute to our workplace culture where we all thrive and authentically live our MNZ values.Upon joining us you’ll receive a full range of benefits including Income Protection & Life Insurance. Check out our full range on our careers page to find out more about why we love working here.**Salary range** $156,314 - $171,946 pa depending on skills and experience + superannuation.**Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply**We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application.We're committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please reach out to our recruitment team below if there is any support we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.Applications for this role close 27th September. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.