Senior Advisor, Design and Implementation

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

A New Zealand government agency is seeking a Senior Advisor to enhance the building sector by transforming policy into practice. This role involves leading operational policy initiatives, managing projects, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have operational policy experience, solid relationship-building skills, and the ability to solve complex challenges. The position offers a competitive salary and a permanent full-time contract based in Wellington or Christchurch.

Qualifications

• Experience in policy or technical environments.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships.
• Skills in solving complex operational issues.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of policy and regulation.
• Lead implementation of policy changes.
• Plan and report on project progress.

Skills

Operational policy experience

Relationship management

Complex problem-solving

Facilitation skills

Job description

Overview

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Work for a team who has a key role to play in delivering on the Government’s building priorities
• Help make new laws work in the real world.
• Permanent full-time role can be based in either our Wellington or Christchurch offices
• Salary range: $110,098 - $138,028 plus kiwisaver

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We are looking for a Senior Advisor with experience in operational policy to help us create a better building sector - not only for those in the industry, but for all New Zealanders.

We’re looking for a proactive and innovative Senior Advisor with a strong track record in leading operational policy, and implementation work. In this role, you’ll be instrumental in turning policy into practice, playing a key role in delivering meaningful change by:

• Contributing to policy and regulation development working with your policy colleagues
• Leading the implementation work including designing and developing implementation material
• Ensuring a seamless implementation and transition to delivery of the changes
• Planning and leading projects, with clear reporting to governance groups and panels on progress

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

Ideally, you’ll bring experience in:

• Working within policy, operational policy or technical environments, or a solid understanding of regulatory systems
• Building and maintaining effective, sustained, and productive relationships across the building system
• Helping to solve complex and ambiguous operational policy or technical issues
• Facilitating discussions and gathering insights on what it takes to implement policy change seamlessly
• Collaborating with your manager and wider team to help shape team functions and culture.

Knowledge of the building sector or local government building consent authority procedures is an advantage.

About the Branch: Building System Performance

The Building System Performance (BSP) branch is responsible for providing robust policy, technical and regulatory advice on building and construction in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also provides strategic advice, operational regulation, and external sector leadership to ensure that building legislation, and regulations including the Building Act are effectively managed.

Our Team: Design and Implementation

Our team sits in the Building System Performance branch in MBIE. We have a growing work programme with core responsibilities to lead the development, design and implementation of changes to Aotearoa New Zealand's building regulatory system.

The team works across the Government’s work programme which includes:

• Mandating the use of building products approved for use in comparable countries
• Introducing quicker and more efficient consent pathways for low-risk building activities
• Improving the consistency of Building Consent Authorities (BCAs), and
• Leveraging the role of private insurance in the building regulatory system.

Specifically, for each project our team may produce the following implementation material:

• Feasibility assessments
• Processes and procedural information
• Business requirements for IT system changes

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia– Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Ti ka – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description.

All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Email Marie Manley at [e-mail] quoting ref MBIE/18428 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Thursday 16th October 2025, at 11:59pm.