Product Manager

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 109,000 - 146,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

New Zealand Government, via the Department of Conservation, seeks a Product Manager to connect strategy, user needs and technology. You will lead a portfolio of digital products, guiding direction, investment and prioritisation while delivering measurable conservation outcomes.

You will partner with senior leaders and technical teams to balance long-term planning with practical delivery, using data to inform decisions and improve portfolio performance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in product management, including product planning, prioritisation and lifecycle management.
• Strong knowledge of product management approaches and frameworks (Agile, Lean, Scrum).
• Experience using data, user research, and performance metrics to inform product decisions and drive improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of product strategies, roadmaps and priorities aligned with organisational objectives and user needs.
• Drive prioritisation and decision-making across product portfolios, balancing user needs, operational requirements and constraints.
• Own end-to-end product performance and ensure continuous improvement using data, research and feedback.
• Build strong relationships with business owners, stakeholders and delivery teams to enable successful outcomes.
• Champion user‑centred product management and collaborate across teams to deliver high‑quality digital products.

Skills

Product management

Agile methodologies

Data‑driven decisions

Stakeholder engagement

Cross‑functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Decision making under ambiguity

Treaty partnership awareness

Public sector knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualification in business/IT or related field

Job description

Lead the strategy, direction, and delivery of digital products that support conservation outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand$108,946 - $146,203X2 permanent full-time opportunities, Wellington locationOur vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao TuroaMo te turanga | About the roleWe're looking for an experienced Product Manager who can connect organisational strategy, user needs, and technology to deliver meaningful outcomes. Join DOC and help shape the digital products and services that support the protection and restoration of Aotearoa's unique natural and cultural heritage.As a Product Manager, you'll lead a portfolio of digital products within one or more product domains. You'll bring together user insights, operational needs, technology capabilities and organisational goals to ensure products deliver measurable value for users, DOC and conservation outcomes.Working closely with business leaders, delivery teams and technical experts, you'll guide product direction, influence investment and prioritisation decisions, and drive continuous improvement across your product portfolio. This role provides product leadership through collaboration and influence, rather than formal people management responsibilities.This role suits someone who enjoys balancing long-term thinking with practical delivery, using data and evidence to make informed decisions, and building strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. You'll play a key role in shaping DOC's digital landscape and ensuring our products contribute to evolve to meet changing needs and deliver positive outcomes for nature, communities, and future generations.The position will be focussed on:Develop and maintain product strategies, roadmaps and priorities that align with DOC's organisational objectives and user needsLead prioritisation and decision-making across assigned product portfolios, balancing user needs. operational requirements, risks, opportunities and technology constraintsOwn end-to-end product performance, ensuring products deliver measurable outcomes and are continuously improved using data, research, and feedbackMonitor and improve product performance, ensuring products deliver measurable outcomes and continuously evolve based on data, research, feedback, and changing business needs.Build and maintain strong relationships with business owners, stakeholders, senior leaders, project and product delivery teams, technical experts, vendors, and external partners to enable successful product outcomesChampion user-centred product management practices and work collaboratively across teams to deliver sustainable, high-quality digital products and servicesClick here for the Role DescriptionNga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experienceWe are keen to hear from you, if you have;Proven experience in product management, including product planning, prioritisation, and managing products throughout their lifecycleStrong knowledge of product management approaches and frameworks, including Agile, Lean, Scrum, or similar methodologiesExperience working across multiple products, services, or complex portfolio of multi-product environments while balancing competing priorities and stakeholder needsDemonstrated ability to use data, user research, customer insights and performance metrics to inform product decisions and drive continuous improvementExceptional stakeholder engagement, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across business, technology, operational and leadership groupsExperience leading cross-functional teams and achieving outcomes through collaboration facilitation and influenceStrong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and balance short-term needs with long-term valueA relevant tertiary qualification in business, information technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experienceAn understanding of government, public sector, or complex organisational environments would be advantageousKnowledge of biodiversity, conservation management, or the work of the Department of Conservation would be advantageous, including familiarity with DOC services such as hunting permits, fishing licences, hut bookings, and Great Walks reservationsA commitment to Treaty partnership, with an appreciation of te ao Maori, tikanga Maori, and the role of the Maori Crown relationship in achieving outcomes for AotearoaWe know that people bring a range of experiences and perspectives. If you don't meet every requirement listed but believe you have the capability, values and potential to succeed in this role, we strongly encourage you to apply. We'd love to hear what you can bring to the team.He aha nga painga mou? | What's in it for you?DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.Want to know more?Tonoa inaianei | Apply nowApply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.Salary: $108,946 - $146,203, depending on skills and experience.Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.'Ra whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday, 30 October 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptlyMe he patai ano, whakapa mai | For further enquiries, please contact Ainah Chan, [e-mail].