Strategic Advisor

New Zealand Government; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 153,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Health insurance

Home workstation contribution

5 weeks annual leave

15 days sick leave

Rewards and recognition framework

Professional development opportunities

Employee networks

Job summary

WorkSafe New Zealand is seeking a Strategic Advisor to provide senior-level advice to the Deputy Chief Executive and group leadership. You will align group plans with WorkSafe's strategy, deliver clarity on performance, and coach the Group Coordinator to drive delivery across the new Enterprise Planning and Implementation group.

This role requires taking leadership responsibility in a newly formed team, managing ambiguity, and enabling timely, cross-functional decision-making at the executive

Qualifications

• Strong experience providing strategic advice to executive leaders.
• Experience aligning strategy, planning, performance and priorities.
• Excellent written communication for senior and governance audiences.
• Confidence working through ambiguity and building new ways of working.
• Ability to influence and connect work across complex organisations.
• Public sector, regulatory or central agency experience would be useful.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support & coach the Group Coordinator
• Advise the DCE and leadership team on priorities, risks and delivery.
• Align group plans and work programmes with organisational strategy.
• Coordinate leadership rhythms, agendas and forward work.
• Produce clear briefings, reports and governance papers.
• Connect planning and reporting to show progress, risks and dependencies.
• Build relationships across WorkSafe to support alignment and delivery.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Strategy alignment

Written communication

Ambiguity management

Influence across organisations

Public sector experience

Job description

Support in shaping a new group at WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru Provide trusted strategic advice to a new DCE Ideal for an experienced Strategic Advisor Lead, coach & support the Group Coordinator Permanent position at any WorkSafe location Expected appointment base salary range: $152,761 - $168,932

About Us

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.Hello, Kia ora, Noa'ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, Kia orana , nǐ hǎo, Kamusta

WorkSafe New Zealand | MahiHaumaruAotearoa is the primary workplace health and safety regulator. Our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi comes home healthy and safe. We live by our values: Whakakotahi- we are united in a strong purpose Kōreromai- we engage meaningfully Tiakinamai- we are entrusted with a duty of care

About your team / Ko te tīma

Enterprise Planning and Implementation is a new group established at WorkSafe to strengthen planning, coordination, and implementation across the organisation, particularly to improve how work is prioritised, sequenced, and supported through to delivery.

This is an opportunity to help establish the group's operating rhythm from the outset, bringing clarity, structure and strategic focus as the new Deputy Chief Executive and leadership team come together.

About the role / Ō te tūranga

As Strategic Advisor, you will provide senior-level advice and coordination to the Deputy Chief Executive Enterprise Planning and Implementation and the group leadership team. You will help align group plans, priorities and work programmes with WorkSafe's organisational strategy, provide clear visibility of performance and delivery, and support decision-making on complex, cross-cutting matters. You will also provide leadership, support and coach the Group Coordinator

This is not a developing Strategic Advisor role. We are looking for someone who brings strong strategic advisory experience, sound judgement, and confidence operating with executive leaders in a complex organisation. It will suit someone who enjoys ambiguity, can create order and momentum, and is energised by the opportunity to help build something new.

What You'll Do/ Ko tōu ake mahi

• Lead, support & coach the Group Coordinator
• Advise the DCE and leadership team on priorities, risks and delivery
• Align group plans and work programmes with organisational strategy
• Coordinate leadership rhythms, agendas and forward work
• Produce clear briefings, reports and governance papers
• Connect planning and reporting to show progress, risks and dependencies
• Build relationships across WorkSafe to support alignment and delivery

What You'll Bring / Ko ngā pukenga ōu

• Strong experience providing strategic advice to executive leaders
• Experience aligning strategy, planning, performance and priorities
• Excellent written communication for senior and governance audiences
• Confidence working through ambiguity and building new ways of working
• Ability to influence and connect work across complex organisations
• Public sector, regulatory or central agency experience would be useful

Salary range / Awhe utu

The expected appointment base salary is $152,761 - $168,932 (KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contributions are additional). From 1 April 2026 our KiwiSaver employer contribution increased to 3.5%

We offer a range of benefits including:

• Free life insurance for the duration of your employment
• Health insurance & eyecare discounts
• $400 home workstation contribution
• 5 weeks annual leave
• 15 days sick leave
• A Reward and Recognition Framework that celebrates the impact our kaimahi make - your mahi matters
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee-led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities (Rainbow, Pacific, Women's and Tū Rangatira Māori Network)

WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. We believe different perspectives strengthen our mahi and help create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

If you encounter accessibility barriers in completing the application or require adjustments or support to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you, contact [e-mail] for a confidential kōrero.

This vacancy has been established as part of changes to WorkSafe's organisational structure after a review of WorkSafe's operating model identified opportunities to improve role clarity, ways of working and organisational effectiveness. As part of these changes, WorkSafe has established a number of new roles to ensure we are well placed to meet expectations now and in the future. Kaimahi whose roles were affected by the structure change will be given preference for all vacancies and will be considered in the first instance.

Applications close: 11.59pm, Sunday 13 September 2026