Senior Advisor System Risk, Evidence and Insights

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 111,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

5 weeks annual leave

Income protection

Critical illness insurance

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi seeks a Senior Advisor, System Risk Evidence and Insights to analyse data, risks and system intelligence, informing regulatory priorities and investments. You’ll turn complex information into actionable insights to guide decision-makers across the land transport regulatory system.

The role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, strategic risk assessments, and collaboration across the public sector.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in regulatory/public service environments.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with ability to translate into practical recommendations.
• Proven ability to influence decisions through evidence-based insights.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Turn complex information into actionable insights using systems thinking.
• Provide trusted advice shaping regulatory priorities and outcomes.
• Transform data into insights for key decisions.
• Map regulatory systems and identify risks, gaps, issues, and improvement opportunities across the land transport regulatory system.
• Prepare strategic risk assessments and insights for senior and executive stakeholders.
• Build relationships across regulatory, transport, and public sector ecosystems to encourage evidence-informed practice.

Skills

Systems thinking

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory awareness

Education

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

• Turn complex data into meaningful insights
• Influence outcomes through strategic thinking and collaboration
• Bring proven expertise in regulatory or public sector environments
• Wellington based

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

As a Senior Advisor, System Risk Evidence and Insights, you'll analyse data, risks and system intelligence to identify emerging issues and inform regulatory priorities, strategy and investment decisions. Your insights will help ensure regulatory decision makers are focused on the areas of greatest risk and impact.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Deliver clear, evidence-based insights and advice to support strategic decision-making.
• Use systems thinking to turn complex information into actionable insights.
• Provide trusted advice that helps shape regulatory priorities and outcomes.
• Transform data and intelligence into insights that inform key decisions.
• Lead and support the mapping of regulatory systems and services, identifying risks, gaps, issues, and improvement opportunities across the land transport regulatory system.
• Prepare strategic risk assessments and insight reporting for key stakeholders at a senior / executive level, ensuring outputs are timely, tailored and aligned with NZTA’s strategic direction.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across the regulatory, transport, and public sector ecosystems to support insight sharing, collaborative learning, and evidence-informed practice.

You will find out more about the role here

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between, $111,051 and $123,390 commensurate with skills and experience.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

We're looking for someone who can analyse complex information, identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and turn insights into practical recommendations. You'll bring a strategic, systems-thinking approach, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of audiences. Success in this role will come from building trusted relationships, influencing decision-making, and working collaboratively across the public sector or regulatory environment.

This role requires you to have a relevant post graduate qualification or equivalent experience gained through senior roles in regulatory or public service environments - particularly where risk assessment, data analysis and synthesis, or generation of human insights were key components.

Mō mātou | About us

Te Rōpū Waeture – Regulatory - We help ensure the land transport system is safe, fair and well regulated.

We use a wide range of activities and tools - including monitoring, education, engagement and enforcement, to ensure that people, vehicles and transport operators meet the standards required to keep New Zealand moving safely and efficiently.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you’ll get in return

At NZTA, you’ll be part of an organisation that makes a visible difference every day. We offer:

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Flexible working arrangements (role dependent)
• 5 weeks annual leave, plus Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance
• The opportunity to lead a nationally significant operation that directly impacts millions of New Zealanders

For further information, email: [e-mail]

Rā Katinga | Applications close

11 October 2026

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.