Strategy Planning and Performance Manager

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Wellington; On-site; NZD 206,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in Wellington invites applications for a permanent, full-time Strategy, Planning and Performance Manager. You will lead the strategy, planning, intelligence and performance disciplines to manage MFAT's international asset portfolio and shape long-term portfolio strategy.

You will turn complex information into clear insights for senior leaders, drive investment prioritisation, and build capability across asset management systems as part of the

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading strategy, planning, performance, asset management or transformation in complex organisations.
• Analytical and critical-thinking capability to turn complex information into clear insight.
• Experience translating strategy into practical portfolio plans, priorities and measures.

Responsibilities

• Shape portfolio strategy, translating priorities into long-term asset strategies and plans.
• Turn information into intelligence, giving leaders a clear view of portfolio performance, risk, opportunity and future investment needs.
• Influence investment with trusted analysis to establish priorities and navigate trade-offs.
• Build performance discipline with measures, governance and reporting to drive improvement.
• Strengthen asset management capability by lifting systems, standards and planning disciplines.
• Help shape the future of the Asset Management Division as a leadership team member.

Skills

Strategy leadership

Portfolio planning

Strategic analysis

Commercial judgement

Change management

Stakeholder influence

Team leadership

Te Tiriti understanding

Job description

The Ministry acts in the world to build a safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders. Kia hangai ake e te Manatu he ao-haumaru, ao-tonui, ao-pumau, ki te oranga tonutanga mo Aotearoa whanui. Turn information into intelligence. Shape strategy. Influence investment. Shape the strategy for a unique international asset portfolio Build the intelligence and performance disciplines behind better investment decisions Join a new leadership team with significant scope to reshape how we work Wellington based, permanent full time Help build a more strategy-led, information-centred approach to managing the property portfolio that supports New Zealand's presence around the world.

About the role

Kōrero mō te tūrangaMFAT manages a distinctive international asset portfolio operating across diverse markets, operating environments and risk settings. We are reshaping how that portfolio is managed, with a stronger focus on strategy, information, portfolio performance and disciplined investment decision-making.

As Strategy, Planning and Performance Manager, you will be at the centre of that shift. Reporting to the Divisional Manager, you will lead the strategy, planning, intelligence and performance disciplines that inform how we manage and invest across more than 350 properties worldwide. Your role is to make sense of the portfolio: bringing together asset, financial, risk and performance information to provide the insight needed to make better choices. You will turn organisational priorities into clear portfolio strategy and plans, strengthen the connection between evidence and investment, and build greater visibility of portfolio performance, risk and long-term outcomes. You will also support the continued development of our asset management systems, standards and operating disciplines, helping create a more consistent, streamlined and mature asset management function. As a member of the Asset Management Division leadership team, you will help shape the future of the division itself: building capability, embedding new ways of working and creating an environment where information is valued, performance is visible and results are determined by strategy. This is a role for someone who wants to build the capability behind better choices, not simply report on the decisions already made.

You will

• Shape portfolio strategy, translating organisational priorities into clear long-term asset strategies and plans.
• Turn information into intelligence, giving leaders a clear view of portfolio performance, risk, opportunity and future investment needs.
• Influence investment, providing trusted analysis and support that helps establish priorities and navigate competing demands.
• Build performance discipline, establishing clear measures, governance and reporting that create accountability and drive continuous improvement.
• Strengthen asset management capability, lifting systems, standards, planning disciplines and organisational maturity.
• Help shape the future of AMD, collaborating, contributing to the strategy, performance and evolution of the division as a member of its leadership team.

For more detail you can view a copy of the position description here. The salary range for this role is $206,497 to midpoint $242,937 total remuneration, inclusive of our KiwiSaver employer contribution. We expect to appoint depending on your level of experience. Some international travel will be required from time to time.

Who are we looking for?

Mā wai te mahi nei?You will be an experienced strategy, asset management, infrastructure or performance leader who combines critical thinking with the ability to make things happen. You are someone who can quickly absorb complex information, see patterns and connections others may miss, and turn that insight into clear choices. You are equally comfortable challenging established thinking, advising senior leaders and building the systems and disciplines required to turn good strategy into sustained performance.

You will bring

• Significant experience leading strategy, planning, performance, asset management or transformation functions in complex organisations.
• Deep analytical and critical-thinking capability, with the ability to turn complex information into clear insight and choices.
• Experience developing strategy and translating it into practical portfolio plans, priorities and performance measures.
• Strong commercial and financial judgement, including confidence working with investment, performance and risk trade-offs.
• Experience building organisational capability, systems and disciplines through significant change.
• The credibility to advise and influence senior leaders, collaborate constructively and build alignment around difficult outcomes.
• A track record of building capable teams and creating an environment of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.

Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to build something better, not simply inherit and administer what exists today.

Why MFAT?

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere?We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission. Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here. MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

About us

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous. By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand's interests and pursue New Zealand's values. We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world.

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top secret security clearance at the required level. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.

This is a ‘Corporate' role (known here as a specialist role based in central Wellington, NZ. While it is not usual for specialist staff to be ‘posted' outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.