Principal Analyst

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Wellington; On-site; NZD 132,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Wellness benefits

Job summary

MBIE is seeking a Principal Analyst to join the Labour Market Analysis team in Wellington. You will lead high-impact forecasting and econometric work, shaping labour market insights that inform policy and workforce decisions.

You will provide technical leadership and mentor analysts, translating complex analysis into practical guidance for Ministers and senior stakeholders across government.

Qualifications

• Advanced forecasting, econometrics, or quantitative analysis capabilities.
• Ability to apply economic thinking to labour market trends, risks and opportunities.
• Experience leading complex analytical programmes or projects in ambiguous or high-profile environments.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop analysts.
• Ability to translate technical analysis into clear, practical insights for decision-makers.
• Experience providing advice to senior leaders, Ministers or other executives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills across organisations to influence outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex analytical projects within the Labour Market Analysis team.
• Provide technical and intellectual leadership across the programme.
• Mentor and coach analysts to build capability.
• Translate evidence into practical policy advice for Ministers and senior stakeholders.
• Collaborate with policy teams to shape strategy and workforce decisions.

Skills

Forecasting

Econometrics

Quantitative analysis

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

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga

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

• 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.

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE

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.

• Mahi Tahi - Better Together
• Māia - Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity - Hīkina Whakatutuki - which broadly means 'lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o 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.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapa kua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Applications close 13 September 2026