Principal Transformation Programme Advisor

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 143,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in Wellington invites applications for a Principal Programme Advisor. This permanent role sits in the Transformation Programme Office and provides expert leadership across specialist programme management areas, shaping delivery confidence, and ensuring high-quality controls, processes and services.

You will lead development and maintenance of frameworks, advise senior stakeholders, produce concise briefs, and foster cross-organisational collaboration.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in complex portfolio or programme design or delivery.
• Proven experience developing, promoting and improving specialist programme management practices, frameworks, standards and processes.
• Strong facilitation, training and coaching skills, building capability across an organisation.
• Proven ability to engage, influence and build high-quality relationships with senior management and third-party providers.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgement in time-pressured situations.
• Ability to turn complex ideas into practical actions gaining stakeholder engagement and buy-in.
• Strong written communication and ability to produce concise, high-quality documentation.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work autonomously and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring staff.
• Experience working in mixed methodologies environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead programme management approaches in designated areas of expertise, including capability and maturity uplift, tools, support, reporting, and advisory services.
• Provide subject matter expertise and specialist advice to transformation programme leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of frameworks, standards, processes, and quality assurance activities.
• Provide high-level analysis and integrated perspectives on complex issues to support sound decisions and maintain a single source of truth.
• Produce concise and effective documents, briefings and reports for senior leaders and Ministers.
• Build strong relationships across the programme and wider organisation, and support collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Coach and mentor Senior and Programme Advisors

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Facilitation & coaching

Analytical thinking

Communication (written)

Change & transformation

Leadership

Mentoring staff

Cross-functional collaboration

Mixed methodologies

Job description

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in Wellington invites applications for a Principal Programme Advisor. This permanent role sits in the Transformation Programme Office and provides expert leadership across specialist programme management areas, shaping delivery confidence, and ensuring high-quality controls, processes and services.

You will lead development and maintenance of frameworks, advise senior stakeholders, produce concise briefs, and foster cross-organisational collaboration.