Head of the Office of the Chief Executive

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Trusted strategic adviser to the Chief Executive 
• Lead a newly established, high-performing central office
• Senior public sector leadership role, Wellington-based

Mō mātou | About Us

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment exists to Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All. Our work spans economic policy, regulation, investment, and service delivery. We are service providers, policy makers, investors, and regulators, and our work touches the daily lives of New Zealanders across every region and sector.

In January 2026, a new Chief Executive was appointed under the title of Secretary for Economic Growth. This signals a deliberate shift in mandate: a more prominent, externally focused role driving the conditions for economic growth across New Zealand. The organisation has responded with a refreshed set of strategic priorities and a restructured central office to match.

MBIE operates from Wellington with a broad and diverse remit. We are committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to building authentic partnerships with Māori as we deliver on our purpose.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

This is a newly created senior leadership role at the centre of MBIE. As Head of the Office of the Chief Executive, you will lead a high-performing CEs office and serve as a key strategic  partner. You will help the CE operate effectively, drive key priority programmes, maintain situational  awareness across the organisation, and ensure MBIE’s strategic direction is reflected in how the organisation works day to day.

The Office has been purposefully restructured and expanded. You will lead a team comprising two Principal Advisors, a Senior Advisor, and a Director of Strategic Communications. This gives you real resource to be proactive and purposeful.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing the CE with high-quality strategic advice across any aspect of their responsibilities, including filtering and escalating information as needed
• Maintaining situational awareness across MBIE and acting as an escalation point for issues requiring the CE’s attention
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key staff across government to anticipate and respond to requests
• Supporting well-coordinated, high-quality engagement with and servicing of Ministers
• Leading and developing the Office as a high-performing, trusted central function
• Maintaining oversight of emerging, sensitive, or high-impact issues across the Ministry and ensuring effective escalation and response
• Acting as the CE’s personal representative or delegate where required

The role reports directly to the Secretary for Economic Growth and Chief Executive of MBIE, and sits as part of the Senior Leadership Team.

Ko wai koe | About you

You are a senior public sector leader with deep familiarity with the machinery of government and the judgement to operate at the most senior levels. You are analytically credible, politically astute, and relational enough to raise difficult things well. You hold your own in a room with Deputy Secretaries, Chief Executives and Ministers, and you know when to push and when to listen.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in the New Zealand public sector, with strong knowledge of central government processes and the ministerial interface
• Direct experience working with Ministers, including an understanding of parliamentary protocol and how to get things done in that environment
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality strategic advice to senior executives, with the confidence to offer constructive challenge
• Strong political nous and organisational savvy, with a track record of navigating sensitive issues and maintaining the trust of senior colleagues
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams and building a culture of professionalism and responsiveness
• Strong issues and risk management capability, including the ability to identify emerging matters early and drive coordinated responses
• The ability to operate with discretion, integrity, and sound judgement in a confidential environment
• Exceptional judgment and  communication skills, including the ability to distil complex information into clear, concise advice

This role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret national security clearance. 

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description.

For a copy of the information pack please email Amy Tea or Jo Bell at info@amytea.co.nz

To apply, please email your cover letter and CV to apply@amytea.co.nz

Please be assured that a human will carefully read every application. We encourage judicious use of AI.

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this job.

Applications close Friday, 3rd July 2026.