Director Dispute Resolution

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead national teams delivering mediation of individual and collective employment disputes
• Champion innovation and continuous service improvement
• Partner across sectors to support fair, productive workplaces
• Salary range  $164,957 $206,196TFR + Wellness Benefits 
• Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch | Permanent Full time 

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

The Employment Mediation Service is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s employment relations system and one of the busiest public dispute resolution services in the country. As Director, you will hold a senior leadership role within MBIE, responsible for the strategic insight, performance, and continuous improvement of employment dispute resolution and case management services.

You will lead national teams delivering mediation for individual workplace issues, collective bargaining disputes, and early resolution of employment problems and case management. You will ensure services are accessible, timely, and effective. This role demands deep expertise in dispute resolution systems, a strong understanding of employment relations, and the ability to drive innovation and excellence in a complex, high-trust environment.

    
Key responsibilities include:

• Delivery of a national dispute resolution service consistent with statute and best practice standards
• Building capability across teams to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Providing visible leadership to foster a high-performing, customer-focused culture.
• Ensuring dispute resolution services contribute to positive employment relationships.
• Driving innovation and operational excellence through stakeholder collaboration.
• Supporting policy, systems, and process development aligned with MBIE’s strategic goals.

This role plays a critical part in shaping services that are fit-for-purpose, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of workers, employers, and the wider community.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

• Proven leadership in dispute resolution or similar service delivery functions within large organisations.
• Experience managing national mediation services
• Strong track record in leading change across teams, culture, and service delivery.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to connect organisational priorities to operational delivery.
• Skilled in building trust and credibility with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of government decision-making, corporate disciplines, and continuous improvement practices.
• Deep understanding of employment relations, including the Employment Relations Act an advantage.
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Must have the legal right to work and live in New Zealand

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description. 

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Emily Boyd at emily.boyd@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/18434 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday 19 October 2025 at 11.59pm.