Principal Advisor Employment Relations

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Strategic ER role with opportunity to influence the wider sector
• Appointing range $146,445 - $160,472 with KiwiSaver and wellness benefits
• Flexible working considerations to support work-life balance
• 2 x Permanent fulltime | Wellington based preferred will consider alternative locations

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

MBIE’s Employment Relations team sits with the People & Culture (P&C) branch and provides specialist advice and leadership on terms and conditions, employment policies and procedures, and complex employment relationships issues and change management.

We have 2 great opportunities to join the team as a Principal Advisor Employment Relations.  In this role you will be highly regarded for your expertise and ability to provide high-level strategic and tactical advice, coaching and training in the areas of employment relations, change management, performance management, and HR policy for our stakeholders.  In addition to your day-to-day case work you will manage and support projects and working groups.

You will enjoy collaborating with others and quickly establish, build and maintain effective working relationships across the P&C branch, internal stakeholders, Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission, and our union officials and delegates.  Not only will you support and lead work that is challenging, interesting and varied you will also have a real opportunity to make a difference and develop your ideas in significant and impactful employment relations initiatives.

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate a high level of attention to detail and experience in managing projects from end-to-end.  You will be up-to-date with legislation and employment relations best practice New Zealand.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

• Proven track record of experience and achievement across all areas of employment relations, with a pragmatic and solution-focussed approach
• The ability to work at a strategic as well as an operational level
• Confidence to apply your skills across a breadth or HR disciplines, including performance management and competency frameworks
• The ability to build relationships and influence at all levels of an organisation
• A sound customer service ethos
• A legal background in Employment Relations, with experience dealing with unions
• Must have legal right to live and work in NZ

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. All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role. 

Email Dorinda Te Kiri at dorinda.tekiri@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/16682 if you have any further questions.

Applications close 23 March 2025