Senior and Principal Policy Opportunities

JacksonStone & Partners; Wellington; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Professional growth

Collaborative team environments

Leadership opportunities

Job summary

JacksonStone & Partners is recruiting Senior and Principal Policy Advisers to join government organisations ahead of the NZ election. You will shape policy development, provide strategic advice and lead critical work programmes that influence decision-making and communities.

You will work across agencies, mentor policy teams, and deliver Cabinet papers and briefings. Residence in New Zealand is required. This is a chance to apply your experience to meaningful public service outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong policy development and analytical skills.
• Experience operating within government systems and Cabinet processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and complex issues.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability.
• Experience leading projects, workstreams, or policy programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to complex policy development and analysis
• Prepare high-quality policy advice, briefings, and Cabinet papers
• Manage projects and work programmes from concept through to implementation
• Work collaboratively across agencies and stakeholder groups
• Build trusted relationships and influence decision-making
• Mentor and support developing policy professionals

Skills

Policy development

Analytical skills

Cabinet processes

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Leadership mentoring

Job description

• Shape policy outcomes during a period of significant change
• Influence complex government decisions and strategic priorities
• Explore your next career move as New Zealand approaches the election

• Shape policy outcomes during a period of significant change
• Influence complex government decisions and strategic priorities
• Explore your next career move as New Zealand approaches the election

With the election approaching and organisations beginning to think about future priorities, now is an excellent time for experienced policy professionals to reflect on the next step in their careers.

We're recruiting talented Senior and Principal Policy Advisers to join a range of government organisations working on complex and high-profile policy issues. These opportunities offer the chance to influence decision-making, lead important work programmes, and contribute to outcomes that matter for New Zealand. You'll work alongside talented and motivated colleagues, providing advice on strategic priorities, leading policy projects, and contributing to outcomes that affect communities, industries, and future generations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to complex policy development and analysis
• Prepare high-quality policy advice, briefings, and Cabinet papers
• Manage projects and work programmes from concept through to implementation
• Work collaboratively across agencies and stakeholder groups
• Build trusted relationships and influence decision-making
• Mentor and support developing policy professionals

Skills & Experience Required

We're looking for experienced policy professionals who can demonstrate:

• Strong policy development and analytical skills
• Experience operating within government systems and Cabinet processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and complex issues
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability
• Experience leading projects, workstreams, or policy programmes
• For Principal-level roles, experience providing leadership and mentoring within policy teams

What's on Offer

• Meaningful and impactful policy work
• Opportunities across a range of policy portfolios
• Supportive, collaborative team environments
• Professional growth and leadership opportunities
• Competitive remuneration packages

To be considered, you must be currently residing in New Zealand and hold New Zealand Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or a valid New Zealand work visa.