Policy Director

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• An exciting leadership position as the 2IC to the General Manager in the Tourism & Hospitality branch.
• A unique opportunity to help shape Tourism & Hospitality settings to ensure the long-term performance of this important sector for the economy.
• Be an integral part of a high-performing and highly-engaged branch.
• Salary $179,391 - $269,087 (includes KiwiSaver) + Wellness Benefits, Wellington CBD, permanent role.

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

The Tourism & Hospitality branch is the Government’s advisor on all things Tourism and Hospitality. We support the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality to deliver on their priorities. Tourism is New Zealand’s second largest export earner and is a significant sector in the Government’s Going for Growth plan.

We are looking for a new Policy Director to help lead the branch. Policy Directors at MBIE are important leadership roles - you will partner with the General Manager and ensure we deliver high quality advice and a future focused work programme. You will use your experience of leading policy discussions with Ministers and stakeholders to build and advance excellent relationships across the tourism system and manage often complex programmes of work.

We’re a high performing branch with great engagement and quality of policy advice scores. We’re looking for somebody who can combine their policy nous with people-centred leadership and help us to deliver an interesting, intellectually stimulating and busy work programme. 

As the Policy Director, you won’t have direct reports and will support the delivery of our work programme by working alongside the managers and their teams. Your policy skills are a ‘given’. You’ll also need to know how to work collaboratively and empower people, be open to taking on challenges and opportunities thrown your way and, critically, know when to step back and when to lean in. There’s scope for you to shape how you approach the role, and you’ll develop this alongside the GM.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

• Strategic thinking skills and the ability to make connections within and between work programmes across the branch, our regulatory systems and wider organisation. 
• Have a people-focused and collaborative approach to leadership and work. 
• Have extensive knowledge of policy development disciplines and processes. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with Ministers, senior public service officials, internal and external stakeholders. 
• The desire to work on whole-of-organisation, whole-of-government and whole-of-public sector issues. 
• Significant experience in leading policy work at senior levels.
• Demonstrated political nous and pragmatism. 
• You must have the legal right to live and work 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.

Email Jackie Johnson at Jackie.johnson@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17556 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 24th June 2025 at 11.59pm.