Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

New Zealand Government, through the Department of Conservation, seeks a Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor to lead complex policy work at the intersection of legislation, policy and operations. You translate regulatory changes into practical, implementable settings across the DOC regulatory system.

You will provide trusted advice on high-profile issues, influence reforms, and develop expertise in regulatory policy, legislative reform and stakeholder engagement while collaborating with

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, Maori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it applies to your work.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex operational policy work to support conservation law reform and regulatory modernisation.
• Translate legislative and policy changes into effective operational regulatory settings.
• Provide clear, evidence-based advice on complex regulatory issues.
• Build relationships across policy, legal, operational and regulatory stakeholders.
• Identify emerging risks, opportunities and implementation challenges.
• Support the successful implementation of regulatory change across DOC.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to team members.
• Work with Treaty partners to support Maori engagement and involvement with our work.

Skills

Regulatory policy

Policy implementation

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Legislation interpretation

Job description

Play a key role in shaping the future of conservation regulation in Aotearoa New ZealandWork on high-profile conservation law reform and regulatory modernisation initiativesFixed Term/ secondment to 30 June 2027Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao TuroaHe angitutanga | About the roleConservation 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 modernisationTranslating legislative and policy changes into effective operational regulatory settingsProviding clear, evidence-based advice on complex regulatory issuesBuilding strong relationships across policy, legal, operational and regulatory stakeholdersIdentifying emerging risks, opportunities and implementation challengesSupporting the successful implementation of regulatory change across DOCProviding guidance and mentoring to team membersWorking with Treaty partners to support Maori engagement and involvement with our workNga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experienceWe'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 environmentExperience leading complex work programmes and delivering results with a high degree of autonomyExperience interpreting legislation and translating policy into implementationStrong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguityExcellent relationship management, influencing and stakeholder engagement skillsExperience providing trusted advice to senior decision-makersClear written and verbal communication skillsUnderstanding of, or willingness to learn, Maori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it applies to your workDesirable:Experience in natural resource management, environmental policy, environmental regulation, or another operational regulatory environmentKnowledge of regulatory systems, regulatory practice or compliance approachesClick here for the position description.Nga ahuatanga kei a matou | 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 initiativesDevelop deep expertise across legislation, policy, regulation and implementationBuild relationships and influence across government agencies and senior leadership groupsStrengthen your strategic policy and regulatory practice capabilityContribute to work that delivers tangible conservation outcomes for AotearoaHe aha nga painga mou? | 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.Want to know more?Tonoa inaianei | Apply nowApply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.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.Ra whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 10 November 2026.he patai ano, whakapa mai | For further enquiries, please contact Arna Litchfield at [e-mail].