Senior Policy Advisor - Fixed Term

Hamilton City Council; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working policy

Professional development

Wellbeing days (2 per year)

Health insurance through Unimed

Annual health checks and flu vaccine

Discounts at local businesses

Job summary

Hamilton City Council is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor to shape growth and planning policy, drive funding solutions, and guide strategic thinking for Hamilton’s future.

You will lead policy initiatives, provide expert advice to senior leaders and elected members, and manage complex economic and legislative analyses that inform decisions impacting growth, infrastructure, and sustainable development.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in economics, public policy, law, management, finance, or related discipline.
• At least 8 years' experience in a policy, strategy, advisory, or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of local government legislation, policy frameworks, and decision-making processes.
• Proven experience providing advice on complex issues to senior leaders and decision-makers.
• Experience in growth, infrastructure, urban development, or other comparable public sector environments.
• Exceptional analytical, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including governance-ready reports and recommendations.
• Experience with growth funding tools, development contributions, economics, or advising elected members will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, review, and implementation of strategic policy initiatives.
• Provide high-quality advice to senior leaders, elected members, and stakeholders.
• Deliver complex economic, legislative, and policy analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Prepare governance-ready reports, briefings, submissions, and public-facing materials.
• Lead consultation and engagement processes with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage policy projects from planning through to delivery and implementation.
• Mentor and guide analytical work across the team, helping build organisational capability.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Verbal communication

Policy advisory

Ambiguity navigation

Education

Tertiary qualification in economics/public policy/law/management/finance

Job description

This role sits within the Strategy, Growth and Planning Group who ensure we have long-term guardianship of strategic planning and development. They make decisions in the best interests of our city and our region (with a boundaryless view) and create inter-generational and environmental sustainability.

Our job is looking ahead for the future of our city.

Job Description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing cities? Do you thrive on tackling complex challenges, influencing strategic decisions, and creating policies that make a lasting impact on communities?

At Hamilton City Council, we're on a mission to unlock Hamilton's full potential and become the leading community-focused council in Aotearoa. We're looking for a talented and experienced Senior Policy Advisor to join our Strategy, Growth and Planning team and help drive the policies, funding solutions, and strategic thinking that support our city's future growth and prosperity.

This is an opportunity to contribute to work that genuinely matters. You'll play a key role in delivering our Economics and Policy Programme, leading complex policy initiatives and providing expert advice on growth, infrastructure, and economic development issues that shape the future of Hamilton.

As a trusted advisor and policy leader, you'll:

• Lead the development, review, and implementation of strategic policy initiatives.
• Provide high-quality advice to senior leaders, elected members, and stakeholders.
• Deliver complex economic, legislative, and policy analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Prepare governance-ready reports, briefings, submissions, and public-facing materials.
• Lead consultation and engagement processes with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage policy projects from planning through to delivery and implementation.
• Mentor and guide analytical work across the team, helping build organisational capability.

You’ll be at the centre of important conversations about growth funding, infrastructure investment, urban development, and how Hamilton continues to grow sustainably and successfully.

We’re looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.

You are curious, collaborative, and motivated by making a difference. You enjoy working through complex issues, building strong relationships, and helping others succeed. Most importantly, you bring a positive mindset and a genuine commitment to creating better outcomes for communities.

This is a 12-month fixed term opportunity which includes a good handover timeframe.

Qualifications

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification in economics, public policy, law, management, finance, or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years' experience in a policy, strategy, advisory, or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of local government legislation, policy frameworks, and decision-making processes.
• Proven experience providing advice on complex issues to senior leaders and decision-makers.
• Experience in growth, infrastructure, urban development, or other comparable public sector environments.
• Exceptional analytical, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing governance-ready reports and recommendations.
• Experience with growth funding tools, development contributions, economics, or advising elected members will be highly regarded.

Additional Information

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary?

Circa$110K dependent on skills and experience.

• Flexible by choice; an award-winning flexible working policy.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Two Wellbeing days per year.
• Free health insurance through Unimed including hospital/surgery grade cover and discounted membership rates for family members.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccination.
• Discounted purchases from local businesses; gym memberships, cafes, dentists, hairdressers and many more.

Applications close on the: 02/09/2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

Council is committed to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi through its relationship with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua and maataa waka within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking here

It is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met.

As a council, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and belongs. We value inclusiveness (Kotahitanga) – we respect and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that everyone brings.

This role is being sourced directly. If/where Hamilton City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our panel of selected agencies. Hamilton City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to unsolicited contact.

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