Senior Business Analyst

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 105,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections in Wellington is seeking a Senior Business Analyst to take a holistic, end-to-end view of Custodial Services processes, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement on a high-priority project.

This fixed-term role runs until 30 June 2027 and requires strong stakeholder engagement, evidence-based analysis and the ability to translate complex needs into practical solutions that deliver measurable operational outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex operational, business improvement or transformation initiatives.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking with end-to-end view to identify root causes and opportunities.
• Translate analysis into practical solutions from discovery to implementation.
• Proven stakeholder engagement with diverse operational, business and technical stakeholders.
• Ability to operate in complex, ambiguous environments and challenge assumptions.

Responsibilities

• Take an end-to-end view of how we operate, deep-dive into established processes and identify pain points and inefficiencies.
• Collaborate with operational teams and subject matter experts to map connections and dependencies.
• Identify, assess and translate opportunities to simplify and optimise processes for better outcomes.
• Provide structured recommendations and implementation plans to strengthen capability and performance.

Skills

Business analysis

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Solution translation

Ambiguity navigation

Job description

Deep dive into complex, long-standing processes and uncover opportunities for improvement.Make a tangible impact through a high-priority piece of work within Custodial Services.Fixed Term position until 30th June 2027. Based in Wellington.Mo te tunga | About the roleAs the Senior Business Analyst, your role will be about taking a step back and looking at the whole picture. You will take an end-to-end view of how we operate, undertaking a deep dive into established processes to understand what is working well, where the pain points and inefficiencies sit, and where there are opportunities to do things better.You will work closely with operational teams and subject matter experts to unpack complex and long-standing ways of working, understand the connections and dependencies between different parts of the operation, and get to the heart of the issues. From there, you will help identify and assess opportunities to simplify and optimise processes, strengthen our capability and improve operational outcomes. This aligns closely with the role's focus on discovery, process improvement, stakeholder engagement and translating complex business needs into practical solutionsThis is an opportunity to do more than document current processes. We are looking for someone who will be curious, ask the difficult questions and challenge existing thinking. You will bring structure to complexity, use evidence and analysis to test assumptions, and help us understand not just what could change, but why it should change and what will deliver the greatest benefit.Mou | About youYou will need to be comfortable working with ambiguity and navigating a complex operational environment where the answers may not be obvious from the outset. Your ability to build trusted relationships, facilitate meaningful conversations and turn detailed analysis into clear, practical recommendations will be critical to your success.Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experienceTo be successful in this role, you will bring:Business analysis experience, with a track record of leading complex operational, business improvement or transformation initiatives.Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to take an end-to-end view, unpack complex and long-standing processes, and identify root causes, risks and opportunities for improvement.Proven experience translating analysis into practical solutions, taking initiatives from discovery and concept through to recommendations and implementation.Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience gathering requirements and working effectively with diverse operational, business and technical stakeholders.The ability to operate confidently in complex and ambiguous environments, using sound judgement, curiosity and initiative to challenge assumptions, navigate competing priorities and drive outcomes.Nga painga | The benefitsThe midpoint of the salary range is $123,511 per annum and the full range (85%-120%) is $104,985 - $148,214 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.Mo matou | About usJoin Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Maori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whanau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hokai Rangi strategy.We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.Tono inaianei | Apply NowTo submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency - applications received via email will not be considered.When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.Applications close on: Sunday the 18th of October.If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact [e-mail], or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz.We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.