Senior Regulatory Policy Lead: Conservation Reform

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Department of Conservation in New Zealand is seeking a Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor to shape conservation regulation through law reform and regulatory modernisation. The role is full-time fixed-term or secondment to 30 June 2027, based in Wellington or Christchurch.

You will lead complex policy work, translate legislation into practical regulatory settings, and provide trusted advice to senior decision-makers while collaborating with policy, legal and operational teams across DOC.

Qualifications

• Experienced policy professional across strategy, policy and implementation.
• Ability to translate regulatory changes into practical operations.
• Strong analytical and stakeholder engagement skills.

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 Māori engagement and involvement in our work.

Skills

Regulatory policy

Operational policy

Public policy

Regulatory environment

Programme leadership

Legislation interpretation

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Senior stakeholder advice

Communication skills

Māori tikanga Te Tiriti

Natural resource policy

Regulatory systems

Job description

Department of Conservation in New Zealand is seeking a Senior Regulatory Operational Policy Advisor to shape conservation regulation through law reform and regulatory modernisation. The role is full-time fixed-term or secondment to 30 June 2027, based in Wellington or Christchurch.

You will lead complex policy work, translate legislation into practical regulatory settings, and provide trusted advice to senior decision-makers while collaborating with policy, legal and operational teams across DOC.