Senior Advisor

Hutt City Council; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Development opportunities

Flexible working

Friendly team

Job summary

Hutt City Council in Lower Hutt invites applications for a Senior Advisor in the Transformation Directorate. This fixed term full-time role supports the Council’s Target Operating Model and strategic objectives, delivering high-quality advice and project leadership.

You'll work closely with the Director of Transformation, elected members and external partners, preparing concise business cases, options and briefings, and representing the Directorate in senior forums.

Qualifications

• Experience operating at a senior level in politically sensitive or complex environments.
• Strong political judgement, discretion and the confidence to work with senior leaders and elected members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced strategic thinking with ability to identify risks and opportunities.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across teams and partners.
• Experience in or with local government or public-sector environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted advice to the Director of Transformation on high-priority, politically sensitive matters.
• Lead and deliver key projects and work that support the Transformation work programme and Council’s objectives.
• Synthesize information from across Council to develop practical recommendations and options.
• Support effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare clear, well-crafted reports, briefings and presenting materials for senior audiences.
• Represent the Transformation Directorate in senior-level forums and working groups.
• Identify risks and opportunities and escalate matters to keep work on track.

Skills

Senior-level experience

Political judgement

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Written communication

Stakeholder relations

Job description

Build smarter, more sustainable solutions for our city's future Make decisions that matter, visible outcomes for your team Work with purpose, your mahi contributes directly to our city

About the role

Make a difference in your community as a Senior Advisor in the Transformation Directorate at Hutt City Council. This role is fixed term full-time (until 26 November 2027), working 40 hours per week. The Transformation Directorate supports the Council’s strategic objectives, helping progress priorities that contribute to a connected, resilient and inclusive Lower Hutt Te Awakairangi, in particular related to our Target Operating Model. As Senior Advisor, you’ll:

• Provide trusted advice to the Director of Transformation on complex, high-priority and politically sensitive matters.
• Lead and deliver key projects, initiatives and pieces of work that support the Transformation work programme and Council’s strategic objectives.
• Bring together information from across Council and external sources to develop practical recommendations, options and advice.
• Support effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare clear, well-crafted business cases, reports, correspondence, presentations, talking points and supporting materials for senior audiences.
• Represent the Transformation Directorate in senior-level forums and working groups, building trusted relationships that enable progress.
• Identify risks, opportunities and longer-term implications, escalating matters where needed and helping keep key work on track.

If you enjoy working at pace, navigating complexity and providing high-quality advice that supports meaningful outcomes for the city, we’d love to hear from you. The read more about the role, please refer to the Job Description.

About you

We’re looking for a politically astute, strategic and collaborative senior advisor who can operate with sound judgment, discretion and confidence in a complex environment.

What you’ll bring to the role

• Demonstrated experience operating at a senior level in politically sensitive, or complex environments.
• Sound political judgment, discretion and the confidence to work with senior leaders, elected members and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly understand issues, identify options and provide well-reasoned advice.
• Advanced strategic thinking, including the ability to anticipate risks, longer-term implications and opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing concise briefings, correspondence and supporting materials.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across teams and with internal and external partners.
• Experience in or alongside local government, central government or a similarly complex public-sector environment would be an advantage.

You’ll join a committed team where your advice, judgement and relationship skills will help support delivery of the Transformation Directorate priorities and contribute to positive outcomes for our community.

What we offer

• Competitive pay package
• Friendly and supportive team
• Development opportunities and flexible working
• Opportunity to contribute to high-profile work that matters for Lower Hutt Te Awakairangi

Applications close 19 October 2026. Please note we may review applications before the closing date and encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to withdraw the job advertisement at any time.

Kia noho mai tēnei tāone hei pou herenga waka, hei pou herenga kaupapa, hei wāhi whai hua ki hōna iwi. At Hutt City Council our vision is to build a connected, resilient and inclusive city where all of our people thrive. He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. Working here is truly rewarding, knowing across all our roles, we're making a genuine difference to Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt. We're a team of leaders, planners, connectors and creators designing our future alongside our communities. Tūhono mai. Come join us!