Principal Data and AI Governance Advisor

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Wellington; On-site; NZD 148,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Life, Income Protection and CriticalIl

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a Principal Data & AI Governance Advisor to set the enterprise's Data & AI governance direction and establish practical frameworks. You’ll influence senior leaders and shape policy across technology, risk, privacy and delivery functions to enable responsible innovation.

You'll embed Māori data sovereignty principles into governance and ensure clear accountability for data ownership and AI oversight, delivering robust, sustainable governance across NZTA.

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

• 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

Skills

Data governance

AI governance

Executive stakeholder influence

Strategy development

Risk management

Tools

Governance tooling

Job description

• Shape how Data & AI is governed across NZTA
• Enable responsible innovation while protecting trust and public confidence
• Influence enterprise decisions and build lasting governance capability
• Permanent, full-time position, based in Wellington, Auckland or Palmerston North (other NZTA locations considered)

Bring your Data & AI governance expertise to a role where you can shape strategy, influence at the highest levels and create an organisation-wide approach that enables innovation while establishing the frameworks and guardrails to support the responsible, ethical and trusted use of Data & AI.

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

We Offer a Comprehensive Rewards Package Including

• 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.