Strategy and Planning Manager

Potentia; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Potentia is seeking a senior technology strategy and planning leader for a large New Zealand public sector environment. You will own the Technology Strategy and ensure investment decisions, portfolio priorities and roadmaps align with organisational goals and government direction.

The role sits near executive decision-making across Digital IT, translating ambiguity into clear advice and shaping a prioritised portfolio plan that delivers public value.

Responsibilities

• Developing, maintaining and improving the Technology Strategy
• Creating strategic roadmaps, investment narratives and executive materials
• Maintaining rolling 3–5-year technology and product roadmaps
• Establishing planning frameworks, governance cadences and repeatable processes
• Assessing new technology initiatives before they enter the portfolio
• Advising on investment trade-offs, prioritisation and timing
• Supporting multi-year technology financial planning and cost optimisation
• Tracking market, sector and government digital trends
• Partnering with PMO, portfolio, architecture, security and finance teams
• Facilitating workshops and planning forums with senior stakeholders
• Leading and developing the Strategy and Planning function

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

This is a senior strategy and planning role within a large New Zealand public sector environment, sitting close to executive decision-making across Digital IT.

You’ll own and evolve the Technology Strategy, making sure investment decisions, portfolio priorities and digital roadmaps are clearly aligned to organisational goals, government direction and financial realities.

The work is broad, visible and complex. You’ll be translating ambiguity into clear advice, shaping strategic narratives for senior leaders, and helping turn technology ambition into an executable, prioritised portfolio plan.

It’s a good fit for someone who enjoys the intersection of strategy, investment, technology and public value and who can bring structure, clarity and judgement to decisions that matter.

You’ll be joining a large public sector organisation with a strong social purpose and a significant national footprint. Its Digital IT group provides enterprise-wide leadership across digital capability, cybersecurity, technology infrastructure and strategic planning.

The organisation has a clear commitment to improving outcomes for New Zealanders, including working as a trusted partner for Māori and iwi in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The role

You’ll be responsible for:

• Developing, maintaining and improving the Technology Strategy
• Creating strategic roadmaps, investment narratives and executive materials
• Maintaining rolling 3–5-year technology and product roadmaps
• Establishing planning frameworks, governance cadences and repeatable processes
• Assessing new technology initiatives before they enter the portfolio
• Advising on investment trade-offs, prioritisation and timing
• Supporting multi-year technology financial planning and cost optimisation
• Tracking market, sector and government digital trends
• Partnering with PMO, portfolio, architecture, security and finance teams
• Facilitating workshops and planning forums with senior stakeholders
• Leading and developing the Strategy and Planning function

The opportunity

This is a senior strategy and planning role within a large New Zealand public sector environment, sitting close to executive decision-making across Digital IT.

You’ll own and evolve the Technology Strategy, making sure investment decisions, portfolio priorities and digital roadmaps are clearly aligned to organisational goals, government direction and financial realities.

The work is broad, visible and complex. You’ll be translating ambiguity into clear advice, shaping strategic narratives for senior leaders, and helping turn technology ambition into an executable, prioritised portfolio plan.

It’s a good fit for someone who enjoys the intersection of strategy, investment, technology and public value and who can bring structure, clarity and judgement to decisions that matter.

Company profile

You’ll be joining a large public sector organisation with a strong social purpose and a significant national footprint. Its Digital IT group provides enterprise-wide leadership across digital capability, cybersecurity, technology infrastructure and strategic planning.

The organisation has a clear commitment to improving outcomes for New Zealanders, including working as a trusted partner for Māori and iwi in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The role

You’ll be responsible for:

• Developing, maintaining and improving the Technology Strategy
• Creating strategic roadmaps, investment narratives and executive materials
• Maintaining rolling 3–5-year technology and product roadmaps
• Establishing planning frameworks, governance cadences and repeatable processes
• Assessing new technology initiatives before they enter the portfolio
• Advising on investment trade-offs, prioritisation and timing
• Supporting multi-year technology financial planning and cost optimisation
• Tracking market, sector and government digital trends
• Partnering with PMO, portfolio, architecture, security and finance teams
• Facilitating workshops and planning forums with senior stakeholders
• Leading and developing the Strategy and Planning function

Your fit

You’ll likely bring:

• Senior experience in technology strategy, planning, investment advisory or technology leadership
• A background working in large, complex organisations
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical capability
• Confidence producing Board papers, executive briefings, business cases and strategy documents
• Commercial and financial planning acumen across technology investment
• The ability to influence executives, Boards, government stakeholders and senior business leaders
• A strong understanding of the New Zealand public sector environment
• Awareness of government digital strategy, investment frameworks and Te Tiriti considerations
• A relevant tertiary qualification; postgraduate study would be useful