Senior Advisor - Enterprise Services (fixed term / secondment to 30 June 2027)

New Zealand Customs Service; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Zealand Customs Service is seeking a Senior Advisor, Enterprise Services to lead a major policy review programme. You will translate complex requirements into clear, practical policy guidance across the organisation and work with stakeholders to ensure policies stay current with legislation and priorities.

Based in Wellington or Auckland, this fixed-term or secondment role requires strong policy development, governance and strategic thinking, plus the ability to deliver high-quality

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex pieces of organisational work in policy, governance, HR or related areas.
• Ability to analyse information, work with stakeholders and deliver practical solutions.
• Strong knowledge of policy development frameworks and governance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Leading the review, development and update of organisational policies.
• Translating complex legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements into clear, practical policy solutions.
• Developing and managing a structured programme of policy work, including priorities, milestones and deliverables.
• Analysing policy risks, gaps and opportunities and providing evidence-based recommendations.
• Drafting and quality-assuring policy documents and supporting materials.
• Engaging with subject matter experts, leaders, managers, legal and risk teams to ensure policies are fit for purpose.
• Coordinating consultation, governance and approval processes.
• Supporting the implementation and communication of approved policy changes.

Skills

Policy leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Strategic thinking

Policy development

Governance

Education

Public policy degree

Law degree

Job description

• Shape policy that supports our people and organisation
• Lead enterprise policy improvements at Customs
• Influence organisation-wide policy and practice

• Shape policy that supports our people and organisation
• Lead enterprise policy improvements at Customs
• Influence organisation-wide policy and practice

Lead policy that makes a difference. Join Customs as a Senior Advisor, Enterprise Services and drive a key programme of policy review and improvement. Bring your policy expertise, stakeholder engagement skills and strategic thinking to help shape clear, practical and future-focused organisational policies. This is a fixed term or secondment opportunity to 30 June 2027, based in either Wellington or Auckland.

The New Zealand Customs Service is looking for an experienced senior advisor to join our Enterprise Services team. We're seeking someone who can quickly understand complex organisational requirements, work with a wide range of stakeholders, and turn those requirements into clear, practical and accessible policies and guidance.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a significant programme of policy review and update work, ensuring Enterprise Services policies remain current, practical, accessible and aligned with legislation, organisational priorities and best practice. You’ll be working across a diverse range of policy areas, helping strengthen the framework that supports our people, leaders and organisational performance.

About The Role…

This role is ideal for someone who can hit the ground running, navigate complexity, build relationships quickly and deliver high-quality work with minimal direction.

Reporting to the Principal Advisor, Enterprise Services, you will lead the end-to-end review and refresh of Enterprise Services policies, providing expert advice and guidance throughout the process.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading the review, development and update of organisational policies.
• Translating complex legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements into clear, practical policy solutions.
• Developing and managing a structured programme of policy work, including priorities, milestones and deliverables.
• Analysing policy risks, gaps and opportunities and providing evidence-based recommendations.
• Drafting and quality-assuring policy documents and supporting materials.
• Engaging with subject matter experts, leaders, managers, legal and risk teams to ensure policies are fit for purpose.
• Coordinating consultation, governance and approval processes.
• Supporting the implementation and communication of approved policy changes.

What You'll Bring…

To be successful in this role, you'll bring experience leading complex pieces of organisational work, whether in policy, governance, organisational development, risk, compliance, HR, business improvement or a related environment. You'll have a proven ability to analyse information, work across stakeholders and deliver practical solutions that support organisational outcomes.

You’ll Also Demonstrate

• Strong knowledge of policy development frameworks, consultation processes and governance requirements.
• Experience interpreting legislation, regulation and organisational requirements.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to identify risks, dependencies and impacts while maintaining a strategic perspective.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• The ability to work independently and drive outcomes in a structured and organised way.
• The ability to quickly understand a new operating environment and build credibility with stakeholders.
• Experience delivering time-bound programmes of work and managing competing priorities.
• A track record of producing high-quality written material for a variety of audiences.

A relevant tertiary qualification in public policy, law, human resources, organisational development or a related discipline is desirable, although equivalent experience will also be considered.

Why join Customs?

At Customs, you'll be part of an organisation that plays a vital role in protecting and promoting New Zealand's interests. You'll work alongside passionate and talented colleagues, contributing to work that has a meaningful impact across the organisation and wider public service.

We value diversity, inclusion and the unique perspectives our people bring. We are committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and encourage the use of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori within our workplace.

Requirements To Apply…

• Be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident
• Residing in New Zealand at the time of application
• Be able to pass Customs’ security vetting and a drugs test?
• Have resided continuously in New Zealand for the last five years. Any exceptions to this will need to be discussed with recruitment to assess whether you will still be eligible to meet the Organisation's Security Clearance application criteria.

Applications close 11pm, Monday 21 September 2026.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.