Principal Advisor System Evidence and Insights

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Wellington; On-site; NZD 134,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive environment

Flexible working options

5 weeks annual leave

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) in Wellington is seeking a Principal Advisor Evidence and Insights for a 12-month fixed-term contract. You will be the expert turning evidence into action, maintain the Regulatory Evidence Centre, and help shape regulatory priorities and strategic investment decisions.

You will apply systems thinking and work with senior leaders to turn complex information into clear recommendations, while leading capability uplift and mentoring across the Regulatory Group.

Qualifications

• Experience leading evidence and insights generation in complex environments, ideally public or regulatory.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills across methodologies.
• Coaching, mentoring and leadership of communities of practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead evidence and insight generation to inform regulatory priorities and decisions.
• Apply systems thinking and human-centred insights to identify risks and opportunities.
• Partner with senior leaders to turn complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Maintain the Regulatory Evidence Centre and regulatory profiles with up-to-date information.

Skills

Evidence & Insights

Critical Thinking

Leadership

Regulatory Knowledge

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication Skills

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

In this 12-month fixed term contract as our Principal Advisor Evidence and Insights you will be our expert in turning evidence into action. You will maintain our Regulatory Evidence Centre, you'll bring together hindsight, insight and foresight to help shape regulatory priorities, inform strategic investment decisions, and ensure resources are focused where they can have the greatest impact.

• Lead evidence and insight generation to inform regulatory priorities and decision-making
• Apply systems thinking and human-centred insights to identify emerging risks and opportunities
• Partner with senior leaders to turn complex information into clear, actionable recommendations
• Wellington based

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $133,632 - $148,480 commensurate with skills and experience.

You will find out more about the role here Position Description.

This Is a Key Role Where You’ll

• Lead best practice, application of systems thinking, and robust synthesis of information to support development of high-quality evidence, insights and strategic advice that enables evidence-based decision making among Senior Leaders and Managers.

• Actively enable the Director of Land Transport’s strategic priorities and regulatory stewardship responsibilities, including contributing to design of your team’s workplan to support identified areas of priority and facilitative engagement with both internal external audiences where required.
• Maintain our evidence centre and regulatory profiles, ensuring we always have an up-to-date view
• Contribute to planning and delivery of a forward-looking work programme that supports proactive, risk-based regulation and aligns with organisational priorities
• Support continuous improvement and provide leadership in the development of frameworks, tools, and guidance that support hindsight, insight and foresight generation, while fostering innovation and capability uplift across the Regulatory Group, alongside mentoring others both within the team and across the wider group.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

• Expertise in Evidence and Insights Generation: Proven experience in leading evidence and insights generation in complex environments, ideally within the public or regulatory sector
• Critical thinking and analytical skills: Proven experience using a range of relevant methodologies and analytical approaches to support quality assurance work
• Leadership and Mentoring: Coaching and mentoring and support of others, including leadership of communities of practice
• Regulatory and Government System Knowledge: Experience working in a regulatory environment with a solid understanding of government systems, accountability frameworks, and public sector decision-making processes
• Stakeholder Engagement and Influence: Proven ability to build and manage relationships across internal and external networks, influencing decision-making and fostering collaboration
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to varied audiences including senior leaders, external stakeholders, and ministerial forums

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in a relevant disciplineOr,equivalent experience gained through senior roles in regulatory or public service environments - particularly where leadership of system mapping, gathering human insights, and overall evidence and insightsgeneration were key components.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Te Rōpū Waeture – Regulatory - We help ensure the land transport system is safe, fair and well regulated.We use a wide range of activities and tools - including monitoring, education, engagement and enforcement, to ensure that people, vehicles and transport operators meet the standards required to keep New Zealand moving safely and efficiently.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

• A supportive working environment
• Flexible working options
• competitive salary package, aligned with your skills and experience 5 weeks annual leave and other great benefits.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

25 November 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.