Senior Operational Policy Analyst

Department of Internal Affairs; Wellington; On-site; NZD 99,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking two Senior Operational Policy Analysts in Wellington. This full-time role involves designing a regulatory system for online gambling, including key regulatory processes and compliance models. Ideal candidates are adaptive problem-solvers with regulatory experience and strong stakeholder engagement skills. Join a passionate team and make a lasting impact in New Zealand's regulatory landscape.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of regulatory theory and practice.
• Hands-on experience implementing change in complex environments.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Designing and delivering key regulatory processes.
• Developing a compliance model to monitor and enforce regulations.
• Working closely with policy, legal, and technical experts.

Skills

Regulatory theory and practice

Stakeholder engagement

Problem-solving

Experience in regulatory context

Job description

Description

Senior Operational Policy Analysts (x2) | Fixed term to October 2026 | Full time | Wellington

Type: 2 Fixed Term role (until October 2026)
Hours: Full time
Location: Wellington
Business Group: Regulatory Services
Branch: Regulatory and Identity Services
Salary: $99,025 - $123,321

We’re building something new for New Zealand: a regulatory system for online gambling. This is an exciting opportunity to join a project that will establish how a currently-unregulated industry will be regulated in New Zealand.

As a Senior Operational Policy Analyst in our Operational Design team, you’ll help turn policy into practice—designing the systems, processes, and compliance models that will bring new legislation and regulations to life.

What you’ll do

• Designing and delivering key regulatory processes, including a licensing system and auction.
• Developing and implementing a compliance model to monitor and enforce the new regime.
• Developing and implementing regulatory functions that support channelisation of consumers.
• Working closely with policy, legal, and technical experts in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

What we’re looking for

• Doers with a strong knowledge of regulatory theory and practice.
• Hands-on experience implementing change and/or implementing new organisational functions or services in complex environments.
• Adaptive problem-solvers who thrive in ambiguity and can work at pace in a collaborative programme environment.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills.
• Experience developing operational policy, processes, guidance and other work tools in a regulatory context.

Why join us

• Be part of a pioneering initiative—this hasn’t been done in New Zealand before.
• Work with a passionate, multi-disciplinary team.
• Make a real difference by setting the new regulator up to succeed.

If you’re ready to take on a challenge that gives you a chance to shape a regulatory system for years to come, apply now.

Applications close: 5pm, Friday, 26 September 2025.
For more information please contact: John Ong, [e-mail]

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