Manager Small Business and Manufacturing Policy

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Make a difference to New Zealander’s wellbeing
• Join the dynamic and collaborative Commerce, Consumer & Business Policy branch
• Focus on supporting the future of small businesses and manufacturers
• $154,619  - $231,929 with appointing salary plus Wellness benefits determined on candidates experience, capability and internal relativities
• Team leadership and management permanent role in Wellington CBD

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced policy professional as Manager - Small Business and Manufacturing Policy within the Commerce, Consumer and Business Policy (CCBP) branch of the Building Resources and Markets business group  to support the Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing to deliver on their priorities.

MBIE’s CCBP branch is at the forefront of fresh thinking to make sure New Zealand has the right commercial laws, policies and infrastructure for our businesses to flourish.  We design our regulatory settings and policies to give consumers confidence and encourage businesses to compete, innovate and invest.  

We work internationally to grow investment and trade, and we build strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and decision-makers across New Zealand. We are committed to meeting our responsibilities to uphold Te Tiriti/The Treaty and to support the Maori Crown relationshipin our work.

We are proud of our people and we want to see them develop into thought- and people-leaders by developing and maintaining a culture of learning, development.  In the Small Business and Manufacturing Policy Team, we provide advice on how to support small businesses and manufacturers, both from a policy and operational perspective.

We also give secondary advice on all policies that affect small businesses and manufacturers. We support the portfolio Minister in building relationships with businesses and their representative organisations to  help ensure the characteristics of small business and manufacturers are considered in the design and implementation of policies that them. Relationships with the sector are key to this, and therefore the role would suit a person who enjoys being out and about in the sector. 

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Setting strategy for the team, driving activity, allocating resources, cross-Ministry coordination and results to maximise the contribution that the team makes to MBIE outcomes and government priorities and goals
• Leading the team’s policy domain, providing policy advice, applying judgement including identifying risks and opportunities.
• Developing key relationship with internal and external stakeholders including small businesses and manufacturers 
• Effectively influencing, and contributing to an authorising environment for teams to work within, through building and maintaining enduring relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Building and enhancing the overall capability of the team to ensure quality advice is provided to the portfolio Minister.
• Supporting Private Secretaries to fulfill their roles and duties in Ministers' Offices.
• Helping to build the relationship of trust and confidence between the Minister and MBIE and between Ministers’ offices.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

• Advanced experience in shaping the development and delivery of policy advice and regulatory operation at a senior level
• Proven leadership skills including demonstrated ability to engage and motivate staff and an ability to foster and maintain a high performing team in a complex organisation
• Ability to quickly establish and build strong working relationships and to develop and maintain effective relationships with key government and non-government representatives and senior stakeholders
• Proven ability to communicate and persuade using a range of oral, written and visual mediums in diverse situations
• Have a people-focused and collaborative approach to leadership and work
• Understands what the government wants to achieve and has the ability to anticipate minister and Ministry needs
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manoeuvre through multiple complex projects and an ability to keep inquiring and learning under pressure or in situations with high ambiguity
• Proven ability to apply strong intellectual capability to analyse large, complex policy issues and readily grasp and synthesise ideas, analysis and advice
• Ability to understand the strategic context, current policy agenda and priorities, and  apply foresight and judgement.

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 Monica Chow at monica.chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17692 if you have any further questions.

Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday, 16 July 2025.