Principal Data and AI Governance Advisor

nztagovtnz; Auckland; On-site; NZD 148,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Life, Income Protection and Critical-9

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is seeking a Principal Data & AI Governance Advisor to be the enterprise authority for Data & AI governance. You will set strategic direction, develop practical governance frameworks and help the organisation use Data & AI confidently, safely and effectively.

The role offers visibility across technology, risk, privacy, legal and delivery functions, with stakeholders at senior levels.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading Data Governance or Data & AI Governance in a complex organisation.
• Experience developing and embedding enterprise governance strategies, frameworks and operating models.
• Strong knowledge of responsible AI, data stewardship, metadata, lineage and data quality.
• A sound understanding of privacy, security, compliance, assurance and risk management.
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive organisation-wide change.
• Experience establishing governance forums and accountability for data ownership and stewardship.
• Strong capability across governance tooling, controls, monitoring and reporting.
• Experience working with Māori data sovereignty principles.
• Excellent strategic judgement, systems thinking and relationship-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for Data & AI governance across NZTA.
• Develop practical governance frameworks, standards, controls and operating models.
• Establish accountability for data ownership, stewardship and AI oversight.
• Embed Māori data sovereignty principles into governance practices.
• Influence major programmes, platforms and AI-enabled initiatives.
• Strengthen governance maturity, risk management and assurance.
• Guide selection and improvement of enterprise governance tools.

Skills

Data Governance

Data & AI Governance

Stakeholder influence

Governance strategy

Data ownership

Data stewardship

Metadata

Data quality

Privacy

Security

Compliance

Risk management

Change management

Governance forums

Data lineage

Māori data sovereignty

Relationship management

Systems thinking

Strategic judgement

Job description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

At NZTA, Data & AI play an increasingly important role in improving services, supporting decision-making and delivering better outcomes for New Zealand.

As our Principal Data & AI Governance Advisor, you'll be the enterprise authority for Data & AI governance at NZTA. You'll set the strategic direction, develop practical governance frameworks and help the organisation use Data & AI confidently, safely and effectively.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Create NZTA's enterprise Data & AI Governance strategy and target state
• Shape policies, standards, controls and operating models that enable responsible innovation
• Establish clear accountability for data ownership, stewardship and AI oversight
• Embed Māori data sovereignty principles into governance frameworks and decision-making
• Influence major programmes, platforms, digital products and AI-enabled initiatives
• Strengthen governance maturity, assurance, risk management and organisational capability
• Guide the selection and continued improvement of enterprise governance tools

This is a highly influential role where you'll work across technology, business, risk, privacy, legal and delivery functions. You'll build trusted relationships with senior leaders, bring clarity to complex challenges and create governance settings that are robust, practical and sustainable.

View the Position Description. Appointment salary is from $148,480 to $175,580 commensurate with skills and experience.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

You see good governance as an enabler rather than a barrier, and you know how to translate complex risk, regulatory and ethical requirements into practical approaches that support better decisions and responsible innovation.

You’ll be comfortable working at enterprise level, navigating ambiguity and influencing senior stakeholders. Just as importantly, you’ll bring people together around a shared direction and help build governance practices that work in the real world.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Significant experience leading Data Governance or Data & AI Governance in a complex organisation
• Experience developing and embedding enterprise governance strategies, frameworks and operating models
• Strong knowledge of responsible AI, data stewardship, metadata, lineage and data quality
• A sound understanding of privacy, security, compliance, assurance and risk management
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive organisation-wide change
• Experience establishing governance forums and accountability for data ownership and stewardship
• Strong capability across governance tooling, controls, monitoring and reporting
• Experience working with Māori data sovereignty principles
• Excellent strategic judgement, systems thinking and relationship-management skills

Mō mātou | About us

At NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) our purpose is transport networks that deliver for people, places and New Zealand. Our Te Aukaha - Digital group helps enable that by providing modern, fit-for-purpose digital, information, and technology services for our people, partners, and customers. We are future-focused, collaborative, and committed to creating better outcomes for Aotearoa.

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

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Flexible working arrangements.
• a free Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness insurance scheme available for permanent employees.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

7 October 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.