Strategic Regulatory Advisor for Transport Regulation

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Auckland; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks’ annual leave

Income protection and critical illness

Flexible working arrangements

Opportunities for professional develop

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi invites an experienced Lead Advisor to provide strategic leadership and high-quality executive advice to our Head of Commercial Transport Regulation. You’ll bring credibility to senior leaders and quickly navigate complex regulatory environments to inform decision making.

You’ll work closely with regulatory partners, develop executive-level papers, and help translate policy into practical oversight and improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven executive or senior advisory experience with credibility to work with senior leaders.
• Strong regulatory background or understanding of regulatory systems.
• Excellent written communication skills for executive advice and governance papers.
• Strong strategic and systems thinking to connect objectives with operations.
• Analytical capability using data and evidence to inform advice.
• Ability to quickly understand complex or unfamiliar subject matter.
• Strong influencing and relationship management across stakeholders.
• Experience leading cross-functional work and managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity and maintain momentum.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality strategic and executive advice to support senior leadership decision making.
• Lead business planning, performance monitoring and continuous improvement across Commercial Transport Regulation.
• Develop governance papers, business cases, and executive-level reports.
• Translate policy and government expectations into practical approaches.
• Represent senior leadership across internal, cross-agency, industry and governance forums.
• Build relationships with government, industry and regulatory partners.
• Lead complex strategic initiatives to strengthen regulatory performance and safety outcomes.

Skills

Executive advisory

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory systems

Job description

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi invites an experienced Lead Advisor to provide strategic leadership and high-quality executive advice to our Head of Commercial Transport Regulation. You’ll bring credibility to senior leaders and quickly navigate complex regulatory environments to inform decision making.

You’ll work closely with regulatory partners, develop executive-level papers, and help translate policy into practical oversight and improvement initiatives.