Wellington-Based Regulatory Evidence & Insights Leader

New Zealand Transport Agency; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Five weeks annual leave

Income Protection and Critical Illness

Career development opportunities

Values-led, inclusive workplace

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) seeks an experienced people leader to head the Regulatory System Evidence & Insights team in Wellington, building a robust evidence base for land transport regulation. You’ll unify qualitative and quantitative signals to identify patterns, inform decisions, and balance hindsight, insight and foresight across the system.

You’ll lead the ongoing development of the Regulatory Evidence Centre, oversee end-to-end reviews, and drive strategies to strengthen regulatory

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading evidence, insight or intelligence teams in complex environments.
• Track record building high-performing teams and developing people.
• Ability to translate multiple information sources into practical insights.
• Experience working with senior leaders and evidence-based decision-making.
• Knowledge of regulatory systems or public-sector decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing evidence and insights team.
• Deliver evidence, insights and advice that support risk-based regulatory decision-making.
• Maintain a system-wide view of regulatory risks, issues, threats and opportunities.
• Lead regulatory risk assessments, including vulnerabilities, controls and emerging risks.
• Drive the Regulatory Evidence Centre and regulatory evidence profiles.
• Identify and interpret emerging trends and future risks affecting the regulatory system.

Skills

Leadership

Evidence & insights

Regulatory context

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Māori understanding

Public sector knowledge

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification desirable or equivalent experience

Job description

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) seeks an experienced people leader to head the Regulatory System Evidence & Insights team in Wellington, building a robust evidence base for land transport regulation. You’ll unify qualitative and quantitative signals to identify patterns, inform decisions, and balance hindsight, insight and foresight across the system.

You’ll lead the ongoing development of the Regulatory Evidence Centre, oversee end-to-end reviews, and drive strategies to strengthen regulatory