Principal Analyst

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

Job summary

MBIE's Labour Market Analysis team is seeking a Principal Analyst to lead forecasting, econometrics and strategic analysis shaping labour market policy.

You will guide complex projects, mentor analysts and collaborate with policy teams to turn insights into government actions that improve workforce decisions.

Qualifications

• Advanced forecasting, econometrics or quantitative analysis experience.
• Ability to apply economic thinking to labour market trends and policy.
• Experience leading analytical programmes in high-profile environments.
• Proven ability to mentor analysts and build capability.
• Ability to translate analyses into practical policy insights for decision-makers.
• Experience advising senior leaders and ministers or executives.
• Strong understanding of how evidence informs policy and workforce planning.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and cross-organisation collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex analytical projects and shape the team’s output.
• Provide technical leadership across the analytical work programme.
• Mentor and coach analysts; develop new approaches and products.
• Translate robust evidence into practical advice for policy makers.
• Collaborate with policy teams to ensure evidence translates into action.
• Engage with Ministers, agencies and sector leaders to influence outcomes.

Skills

Forecasting

Econometrics

Quantitative analysis

Policy influence

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

• Help shape New Zealand’s future labour market evidence system by applying economics, analysis and forecasting to support better workforce and policy decisions
• Influence Ministers, government agencies and sector leaders through high-impact advice and insights
• Lead complex analytical projects and help shape a growing analytical team
• Permanent full time | Wellington based
• Salary range: $132,417 - $160,472 + KiwiSaver + wellness benefits

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Analyst to join the Labour Market Analysis team within MBIE’s Employment, Skills and Immigration Policy branch.

The team provides actionable insights on labour market performance, trends and future workforce needs. Our work spans labour market monitoring, analysis and forecasting, helping government understand current labour market conditions and prepare for future workforce requirements. We are building New Zealand’s future labour market analysis and forecasting capability, developing sophisticated analytical products, insights, and tools that support better workforce and policy decisions. This contributes to MBIE’s role as a leading source of insight on current and future labour market conditions.

As Principal Analyst, you will provide technical and intellectual leadership across the team's analytical work programme, helping shape how labour market evidence and insights are developed and used across government. You will lead complex analytical projects, develop new approaches and products, mentor and coach analysts and work closely with policy teams to ensure robust evidence translates into practical advice and action.

Success in this role will require strong economic thinking, curiosity and an ability to connect sophisticated analysis with real-world workforce challenges. You will work across government, sectors and regions to shape strategy, policy and workforce decisions, helping build a more effective labour market system.

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

We are keen to hear from you if you have a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience and bring strengths in several of the following areas:

• Advanced capability in forecasting, econometrics, quantitative analysis or related analytical disciplines.
• Ability to apply economic thinking to understand and explain labour market trends, risks and opportunities. Experience in labour market economics desired but not essential.
• Experience leading complex analytical programmes or projects in ambiguous or high-profile environments.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop analysts and build technical capability.
• Ability to translate technical analysis into clear, practical insights for decision-makers.
• Experience providing advice to senior leaders, Ministers or other executive stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the role evidence plays in policy development, workforce planning or strategic decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and experience working across organisations to influence outcomes.

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 TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio 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.