Senior Geospatial Advisor

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

NZTA Waka Kotahi invites applications for a Senior Geospatial Advisor to bring specialist geospatial expertise across transport planning. You will lead improvement and mapping projects, work with multi-disciplinary teams, and translate business needs into practical geospatial solutions.

You will oversee scoping to delivery, balance stakeholders, risks, time and cost, and help strengthen geospatial practice with reusable solutions, data quality assurance, and clear communication to diverse

Qualifications

• Depth of expertise in geospatial analysis, mapping, visualization and data management.
• Ability to translate business needs into practical geospatial products and improvements.
• Strong data management and analytical capability within geospatial context.

Responsibilities

• Lead geospatial initiatives from scoping through delivery.
• Develop reusable geospatial solutions and assure data quality.
• Coach Geospatial Analysts and communicate technical info clearly.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Mapping

Spatial data management

Geospatial visualization

Project leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Coaching

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Online

FME

ETL workflows

Job description

• Provide trusted geospatial advice and complex spatial analysis to support better transport decisions
• Lead geospatial initiatives and improvements from scoping through to delivery
• Join a collaborative team where you can share your expertise and help others succeed
• Permanent opportunity based in Wellington or Auckland

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to bring your geospatial expertise to work that positively influences the delivery of Aotearoa New Zealand’s transport priorities.

As a Senior Geospatial Advisor, you will provide specialist geospatial advice and lead improvement and mapping projects that support evidence-based decision making across NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to understand business needs, identify opportunities for new geospatial solutions, and improve the way spatial information and systems are used.

You will lead work from scoping through to delivery, including spatial analysis and mapping, balancing stakeholder needs, priorities, dependencies, risks, time, cost and quality. You will also help strengthen consistent geospatial practice by developing reusable solutions, assuring the quality of geospatial data and products, and communicating technical information clearly to a range of audiences. You will contribute to a collaborative team environment by coaching Geospatial Analysts and sharing your technical knowledge.

This role offers the opportunity to champion geospatial capability across the organisation while developing strong internal, cross-government, vendor, and industry relationships.

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

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:

• Demonstrated depth of expertise in geospatial analysis, mapping, visualisation and spatial data management, including experience turning complex information into clear, decision-useful insights.
• Proven ability to understand business needs and translate them into practical, fit-for-purpose geospatial products, services or process improvements.
• Strong spatial data management and analytical capability, supported by an excellent understanding of the geospatial industry.
• Experience using geospatial data management workflows, including FME.
• Demonstrated experience using Esri geospatial technologies, such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online, to deliver reliable geospatial analysis and information products.
• Proven ability to scope and lead geospatial initiatives through to delivery, balancing stakeholder needs, priorities, dependencies, risks, time, cost and quality.
• Proven relationship-management capability, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and build trusted relationships with business stakeholders, technical specialists, partners and vendors.
• Sound judgement and problem-solving capability, including the ability to work independently, navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities and identify when matters require escalation.
• Demonstrated ability to review and assure geospatial data, analysis and products, constructively challenge proposed approaches and support consistent, high-quality practice.
• Proven ability to coach and support others through practical guidance, peer review, knowledge sharing and constructive feedback.
• Experience with geospatial automation, ETL workflows, field data collection applications, enterprise reporting tools or other complementary data technologies would be useful for this role.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of, or a willingness to develop an understanding of, Te Ao Māori, tikanga, te reo Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public sector.

Mō mātou | About us

Business and Geospatial Intelligence Services provides trusted insights, intelligence, business intelligence and geospatial capability that support evidence-based decision-making across NZTA Waka Kotahi. The function develops and maintains enterprise reporting, analytics, business intelligence and geospatial products and services that improve organisational performance, support strategic and operational decision-making, and enhance understanding of the transport system.

The team leads the development of enterprise analytics, business intelligence and geospatial capability through common standards, reusable information products, self-service tools, data governance and fit-for-purpose services that maximise the value of organisational data and location intelligence.

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.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

19 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.