Head of the Office of the Deputy Secretary

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Be a trusted advisor to the Deputy Secretary to provide high quality strategic and business advice and support
• Critical leadership position in a large, complex agency
• Bring your strategic capabilities and operational nous to deliver a range of initiatives
• Permanent full time | Wellington based
• Salary from $193,289 - $241,611 including KiwiSaver + wellness benefits

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

Thrive in a dynamic environment as Head of the Deputy Secretary’s Office. Leverage your strategic thinking and operational management, political insight, and partnership skills to directly shape the Group leadership. Your political acumen and collaborative spirit will be key to success.

You will deliver exceptional and timely support to the Deputy Secretary, bringing leadership to complex, high-sensitivity issues and directly contributing to the shaping and driving of MBIE’s core priorities.

You will also play a pivotal role working across MBIE to help shape the organisation. Collaboration, positive and effective relationships, and pragmatism are essential for the position. 

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

• Successfully led high-performing teams and projects, providing strategic advice to Ministers and senior leaders within medium to large organisations
• Comprehensive knowledge of government direction, policy priorities, and planning and budgeting processes
• Demonstrated ability to forge and maintain positive, effective relationships with senior stakeholders, including Ministers and their offices
• Demonstrated understanding of financial principals and public sector planning and budgeting processes
• Ability to gain and maintain a top-secret security clearance
• 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. 

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 Dorinda Te Kiri at dorinda.tekiri@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17729 if you have any further questions.

Applications close 20 July 2025