Senior Advisor

Ferry Holdings; Wellington; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferry Holdings Wellington Central is seeking a senior policy adviser to support delivery of New Zealand's transport infrastructure programme. You will translate reviews, recommendations and emerging issues into practical action and policy, coordinating across the business and providing high-quality advice to executives, the Board and Ministers.

You will work across governance, operational policy, programme delivery and organisational improvement, partnering with leaders to solve complex

Qualifications

• Experience as a senior advisor in operational policy, governance or complex delivery environments.
• Proven ability to translate reviews and priorities into actionable policy and guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication; capable of briefing boards and ministers.

Responsibilities

• Translate reviews, recommendations and issues into practical action and policy.
• Coordinate implementation across the business and provide high‑quality advice to executives, the Board and Ministers.
• Work across governance, policy, programme delivery and organisational improvement, partnering with leaders to solve complex problems.

Skills

Senior advisory

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Ferry Holdings – Wellington Central, North Island

Ferry Holdings Limited (FHL) was established in 2025 to deliver one of New Zealand's most significant transport infrastructure programmes: the replacement of the Cook Strait ferries and the development of the port infrastructure needed to support reliable inter-island connections for decades to come.

As a Crown-owned Schedule 4A company, FHL operates within the parameters set for it by the Government and is transparent and publicly accountable for the decisions it makes. Our mandate is clear: to secure safe, reliable, affordable rail-enabled ferries and the infrastructure required to support them, while delivering value for taxpayers.

Working in partnership with CentrePort, Port Marlborough, KiwiRail and GSI Shipyard, FHL is leading the commercial, technical and programme coordination required to bring new ferries and port infrastructure into service by 2029.

We are a small, agile organisation bringing together specialist expertise to deliver a complex, high-profile programme that is critical to New Zealand's future.

About the role

This is a high-impact policy advisory role supporting the successful delivery of one of New Zealand's most visible and strategically important infrastructure programmes.

Reporting to the Accountability and Strategic Communications Manager, you will help drive organisational performance by translating reviews, recommendations and emerging issues into practical action and policy. You will coordinate implementation across the business, provide high-quality advice to executives, the Board and Ministers, and help ensure key strategic priorities are delivered.

You will work across governance, operational policy, programme delivery and organisational improvement, partnering with leaders to solve complex problems, assess priorities, coordinate activity and maintain momentum across multiple workstreams.

About you

You are an experienced senior advisor with a background in operational policy, governance, programme coordination, organisational improvement or a similarly complex environment. You are at your best when turning recommendations, reviews and strategic priorities into practical outcomes.

You bring strong judgement, political awareness and credibility, with the ability to provide trusted advice, build relationships quickly and work confidently across senior stakeholder groups. You are highly organised, delivery-focused and comfortable operating in ambiguity.

You have exceptional writing and communication skills and can translate complex information into concise, high-quality Board papers, ministerial briefings and executive advice. You are analytical, pragmatic and able to assess priorities, solve problems and maintain momentum across multiple pieces of work.

Ideally, you will bring experience from government, Crown entities, infrastructure, transport, programme delivery or other complex stakeholder environments. A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience, will be an advantage.

This is an opportunity to contribute to career-defining work on a programme of national significance and visible public impact.

You will be part of a small, focused organisation working with experienced leaders, delivery partners and stakeholders to deliver a critical investment in New Zealand's transport resilience, freight network and passenger connections.

You will have the opportunity to help shape how the programme is understood, support confidence in delivery, and contribute to a once-in-a-generation infrastructure programme for New Zealand.