Senior Advisor Partnerships

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 112,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks leave

Life Insurance

Income Protection

Critical Illness Insurance

Flexible working

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a relationship-focused Senior Advisor, Partnerships to support road safety outcomes. You'll build and maintain relationships across government agencies, local authorities, road safety organisations, and commercial partners to deliver coordinated initiatives.

You'll monitor performance, identify opportunities, and shape partnership programmes across NZ. This permanent role offers flexible location across Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, with a

Qualifications

• Experience contributing to multi-agency projects or programmes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Experience in marketing, education, communication or behaviour change.
• Ability to build credibility and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, written and presentation skills.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation abilities.
• Experience supporting budget management or supplier relationships.
• Collaborative approach to cross-team work.
• Knowledge of Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support investment management for regional road safety programmes.
• Build and maintain relationships with cross-government agencies and councils.
• Coordinate partnership initiatives and programmes.
• Monitor performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Support communication and engagement activities to embed initiatives.
• Identify risks and innovative approaches to strengthen programmes.
• Collaborate across NZTA and partner organisations to achieve shared outcomes.

Skills

Multi-agency collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship management

Influence and credibility

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Budget management

Team collaboration

Public sector awareness

Education

Tertiary qualification in partnerships

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

• 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.

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.