Policy Director | Building, Resources and Markets

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Leadership positions within the Building, Resources & Markets
• Opportunity for two experienced policy experts in high profile policy portfolios
• Permanent position based in Wellington CBD
• Salary Band: $193,289 - $241,611 (midpoint) and wellness benefits. We are looking to appoint up to midpoint.

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We have two exciting Policy Director opportunities for experienced policy professionals to lead work across a range of stimulating policy and regulatory areas that are core to business. These roles sit within the Energy Markets Branch and the Commerce, Consumer & Business Branch.

The Policy Director is a senior position whose role it is to support the General Manager, work collaboratively with the leadership team to ensure delivery on key policy priorities, and help set the strategic direction for the branch. The role is Minister-facing and presents significant opportunities for those looking for a senior level career in policy.

As a Policy Director, you will support the delivery of key parts of our work programme by providing leadership of complex whole-of-government and multi-sector issues.  You will work collaboratively with senior managers to build the capability of the branch and to ensure the quality and consistency of policy advice and practices.  You will be a leader and an expert, bringing significant depth of experience, political nous, and strong relationship skills.  You will have strong relationships across government and with ministers, and be adept at operating in a complex, high priority space.

Commerce, Consumer and Business (CCB) Branch
MBIE’s CCB branch is the Government’s lead advisor on the commercial environment that all New Zealand businesses and consumers operate in. We look after the laws and institutions that guide how businesses and consumers interact with each other including competition, fair trading and consumer guarantees, financial conduct, corporate governance, and intellectual property. We are also the lead policy advisor for small business and manufacturing, working with these sectors to help support their growth.

Energy Markets Branch
The Energy Markets branch is responsible for providing strategic, policy and regulatory advice on New Zealand’s energy markets.  The energy system plays a significant role in creating a productive and sustainable economy. We make sure New Zealanders have secure, sustainable, and affordable energy to drive our economy and way of life.

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

For both roles, we are seeking someone with significant experience in leading policy work at senior levels, in particular regulatory policy and policy design.  In particular you will need:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with Ministers, senior public service officials, internal and external stakeholders
• Experience managing the delivery and landing of advice and tasks with senior managers, Ministers and stakeholders 
• Strategic thinking skills and the ability to make connections within and between work programmes across the branch and wider organisation
• Background/knowledge in economics and/or the commercial sector. For Energy Markets in particular, understanding of the energy sector. 
• The desire to work on whole-of-organisation, whole-of-government and whole-of-public sector issues
• Demonstrated political nous and pragmatism
• Ability to lead complex policy and strategy work programmes, and anticipate the needs of Ministers
• In-depth understanding of the policy development process, including stakeholder consultation processes
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills allowing you to influence critical decision makers such as Ministers and senior sector leaders, and drive change
• Extensive knowledge and experience of machinery of government

Come join us and make a difference to New Zealanders

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.

In your cover letter, please specify whether you wish to be considered for the Policy Director – Energy Markets role, the Policy Director – CCB role, or both positions.

Email Monica Chow at monica.chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19458 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Thursday 14th May 2026, at 11:59pm.