Principal Assurance Advisor

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 118,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Kiwisaver

Wellness Benefit

Job summary

MBIE in Wellington seeks a Principal Assurance Advisor to lead risk‑based internal assurance reviews, provide expert advice to senior leaders, and drive continuous improvement across assurance maturity. You will work with the Head of Internal Assurance and the Practice Lead to deliver high‑quality assurance work and strengthen governance frameworks.

This principal level role requires influencing across the organisation, strategic thinking, and the ability to develop internal capability while

Qualifications

• Significant experience in internal assurance or audit at a senior level.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and build credibility across the organisation.
• Excellent communication skills and a strategic mindset.
• CA or CIA preferred or a relevant tertiary qualification with internal auditing experience.
• Legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of high‑quality, risk‑based internal assurance reviews.
• Strengthen MBIE’s assurance frameworks, practices and processes.
• Build internal capability and foster a culture of self‑assurance and continuous improvement.

Skills

Internal assurance

Stakeholder influence

Communication skills

Auditing/risk advisory (senior)

Education

CA/CIA preferred

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

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• Lead high-impact internal assurance work at MBIE
• Permanent, full-time position based in our central Wellington offices
• Salary $118,390 - $143,639 + Kiwisaver + Wellness Benefit

As Principal Assurance Advisor, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering independent and objective assurance and advisory services across MBIE. You’ll lead complex reviews, provide expert advice to senior leaders, and help build a culture of continuous improvement and assurance maturity.

This is a principal level role where your ability to influence, innovate, and collaborate will be key to your success.

You’ll work closely with the Head of Internal Assurance and the Practice Lead to:

• Lead the development and delivery of high-quality, risk-based internal assurance reviews.
• Strengthen MBIE’s assurance frameworks, practices, and processes.
• Build internal capability and foster a culture of self-assurance and continuous improvement.

Skills and Experience Required

• Significant experience in internal assurance or, audit within the third line, or risk advisory at a senior level.
• Can build trust and credibility with senior stakeholders and influence across the organisation.
• Has excellent communication skills and a strategic mindset.
• Chartered Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor preferred or a relevant tertiary qualification and/or comparable relevant experience in internal auditing
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

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.