Senior Advisor Partnerships

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Auckland; On-site; NZD 112,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks’ annual leave

Life Insurance

Income protection

Critical Illness Insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a Senior Advisor, Partnerships to lead and coordinate road safety partnership initiatives across government, local authorities and industry partners. You will support delivery of coordinated programmes and identify opportunities to extend NZTA’s influence while ensuring stakeholder collaboration.

The role focuses on building strong cross-sector relationships, monitoring programme performance and contributing to communications activities to embed

Qualifications

• Experience contributing to multi-agency projects, programmes, or partnership initiatives in a complex environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience supporting the delivery of marketing, education, communication, community engagement or behaviour change initiatives.
• The ability to build credibility and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather, summarise and interpret information from multiple sources.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Sound organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience supporting budget management, programme delivery, or supplier relationships.
• A collaborative approach and a genuine interest in working across teams to achieve shared outcomes.
• A tertiary qualification in partnerships, communications, marketing, education or equivalent relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the management and oversight of investment in the Regional Road Safety Programme.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with cross-government agencies, councils and sector stakeholders.
• Coordinating and contributing to partnership initiatives and programmes.
• Monitoring programme performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Supporting communication and engagement activities that help embed initiatives successfully.
• Identifying risks, issues, emerging opportunities and innovative approaches to strengthen programmes and initiatives.
• Working collaboratively across NZTA and partner organisations to achieve shared road safety objectives.

Skills

Multi-agency projects

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship management

Credibility & influence

Analytical skills

Written/verbal/presentation

Organisation & prioritisation

Budget & supplier relationships

Collaborative across teams

Te Ao Māori / Tiriti awareness

Education

Tertiary qualification in partnerships/communications/marketing/education

Job description

Help build strategic partnerships that support safer road safety outcomes for New Zealanders

Work across government, local councils, community organisations and industry stakeholders

Contribute to innovative road safety initiatives that make a real difference in communities across Aotearoa

Permanent opportunity based out of Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch (flexible on location)

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are looking for a relationship-focused professional to join our Education and Partnerships team as a Senior Advisor, Partnerships.

In this role, you\'ll support the delivery of effective road safety partnerships by building and maintaining strong relationships across government agencies, local authorities, road safety organisations, and commercial partners. You\'ll play an important role in helping deliver coordinated road safety initiatives, identifying opportunities to expand NZTA\'s influence, and supporting programmes that encourage safer road safety behaviours.

You'll work closely with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, contributing to partnership programmes, monitoring performance, supporting communication activities, and identifying new opportunities that enhance road safety outcomes.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Supporting the management and oversight of investment in the Regional Road Safety Programme.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with cross-government agencies, councils and sector stakeholders.
• Coordinating and contributing to partnership initiatives and programmes.
• Monitoring programme performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Supporting communication and engagement activities that help embed initiatives successfully.
• Identifying risks, issues, emerging opportunities and innovative approaches to strengthen programmes and initiatives.
• Working collaboratively across NZTA and partner organisations to achieve shared road safety objectives.

You will find out more about the role here: Position Description.

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $112,000 - $135,000 commensurate with skills and experience.

Ō Pūmanawa | What we\'re looking for

Our ideal candidate will have some or all of the following (but don\'t worry if you don\'t tick every box):

• Experience contributing to multi-agency projects, programmes, or partnership initiatives in a complex environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience supporting the delivery of marketing, education, communication, community engagement or behaviour change initiatives.
• The ability to build credibility and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather, summarise and interpret information from multiple sources.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Sound organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience supporting budget management, programme delivery, or supplier relationships.
• A collaborative approach and a genuine interest in working across teams to achieve shared outcomes.
• A tertiary qualification in partnerships, communications, marketing, education or equivalent relevant experience.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop an understanding of, Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the public sector environment.

Mō mātou | About Us

Within the Education and Partnerships team, you\'ll work alongside passionate people who are committed to improving road safety outcomes and creating positive change for communities across New Zealand.

He aha te take e uru ai koe ki a mātou? | So, why join us?

At NZTA, you\'ll be part of an organisation where the different backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences of our people are celebrated. We want you to feel like you belong here, valued, respected and empowered to bring your whole self to work.

From five weeks’ annual leave through to Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for our permanent employees, you will be well looked after here. Our benefits are designed to support our people and provide a happy, healthy and high-performing environment. We take a principle-based approach to flexibility that enables our people and People Leaders to agree arrangements that work for the individual, the team and the organisation. Whether through on-the-job experience, formal learning, coaching or secondments, you can build a varied and successful career with us.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please note that this section has been removed in the refined posting.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

9 October 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.