Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Wellington; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor at Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai leads on conservation regulation reform and regulatory modernisation, translating policy into practical regulatory settings across DOC’s system. Fixed-term or secondment to 30 June 2027, based in Wellington or Christchurch, with opportunities to influence senior government stakeholders.

You'll work across legislation, policy and delivery, provide trusted advice on high-profile issues, mentor team

Qualifications

• Experience in regulatory policy, operational policy, public policy, or a similar regulatory environment
• Experience leading complex work programmes and delivering results with a high degree of autonomy
• Experience interpreting legislation and translating policy into implementation
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity
• Excellent relationship management, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience providing trusted advice to senior decision-makers
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, Māori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it applies to your work

Responsibilities

• Leading complex operational policy work to support conservation law reform and regulatory modernisation
• Translating legislative and policy changes into effective operational regulatory settings
• Providing clear, evidence-based advice on complex regulatory issues
• Building strong relationships across policy, legal, operational and regulatory stakeholders
• Identifying emerging risks, opportunities and implementation challenges
• Supporting the successful implementation of regulatory change across DOC
• Providing guidance and mentoring to team members
• Working with Treaty partners to support Māori engagement and involvement with our work

Skills

Regulatory policy

Operational policy

Public policy

Policy implementation

Stakeholder engagement

Senior advisory

Written & verbal comms

Māori engagement

Job description

Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor

Play a key role in shaping the future of conservation regulation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Work on high-profile conservation law reform and regulatory modernisation initiatives. Fixed Term/ secondment to 30 June 2027.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa He angitūtanga

Conservation regulation is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. Through conservation law reform, regulatory modernisation and system-wide improvements, DOC is building a regulatory system that better supports the protection and restoration of New Zealand's unique natural heritage. As a Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor, you'll work at the intersection of legislation, policy and operational delivery. You'll help translate regulatory and legislative change into practical solutions that can be implemented effectively across DOC's regulatory system. Working alongside policy, legal and operational specialists, you'll lead complex pieces of work, provide trusted advice on high‑profile issues, and influence reforms that will have a lasting impact on conservation outcomes. You'll also strengthen your expertise in regulatory policy, implementation, legislative reform and stakeholder engagement while working with senior leaders across government. This is a full‑time fixed‑term or secondment opportunity through to 30 June 2027, based in Wellington or Christchurch.

The position will be focused on:

• Leading complex operational policy work to support conservation law reform and regulatory modernisation
• Translating legislative and policy changes into effective operational regulatory settings
• Providing clear, evidence‑based advice on complex regulatory issues
• Building strong relationships across policy, legal, operational and regulatory stakeholders
• Identifying emerging risks, opportunities and implementation challenges
• Supporting the successful implementation of regulatory change across DOC
• Providing guidance and mentoring to team members
• Working with Treaty partners to support Māori engagement and involvement with our work

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We're looking for an experienced policy professional who can confidently work across strategy, policy and implementation, while maintaining a practical focus on achieving effective outcomes. If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Experience in regulatory policy, operational policy, public policy, or a similar regulatory environment
• Experience leading complex work programmes and delivering results with a high degree of autonomy
• Experience interpreting legislation and translating policy into implementation
• Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity
• Excellent relationship management, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience providing trusted advice to senior decision‑makers
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, Māori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it applies to your work

Desirable

• Experience in natural resource management, environmental policy, environmental regulation, or another operational regulatory environment
• Knowledge of regulatory systems, regulatory practice or compliance approaches

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?

At the heart of our success is our strong DOC culture, built on clear values. Our integrity grounds us, our connections take us further together, we empower ourselves and others to do their best work, so we achieve more for nature and New Zealand.

DOC is committed to working as an honourable Treaty Partner.

DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive and grow.

We're working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default.

In this role you'll have the opportunity to:

• Work on nationally significant conservation and regulatory reform initiatives
• Develop deep expertise across legislation, policy, regulation and implementation
• Build relationships and influence across government agencies and senior leadership groups
• Strengthen your strategic policy and regulatory practice capability
• Contribute to work that delivers tangible conservation outcomes for Aotearoa

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default. We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 10 November 2026.

Senior Advisor: $93,656-126,500, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Internal secondments within DOC: You are encouraged to discuss secondment opportunities with your manager. Secondments should offer the opportunity to build capability in line with your development plan. You must seek the support of your line manager (minimum Tier 4) in writing before applying for a secondment opportunity and attach it to your application. Noting, we welcome applicants from across the wider public sector.

For further enquiries, please contact Arna Litchfield at [e-mail].

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles. Read more about DOC.