Policy Manager | Gas & Fuel Policy

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Opportunity for a seasoned policy expert to work in a high profile policy portfolio
• Bring your deep subject matter expertise to create outcomes for New Zealand’s energy system
• Appointing range up to $206,196 based on the candidate's experience, capabilities and internal relativities
• Permanent opportunity, based in Wellington

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

The Energy Markets branch is the Government’s lead adviser on energy market policy and regulation, working to ensure New Zealand has a regulatory environment that supports investment in the energy sector while maintaining security of supply, sustainability, and affordable outcomes for consumers. The branch provides policy and regulatory advice across the energy supply chain, including gas, liquid fuels and electricity markets, and plays a key stewardship role in ensuring legislation and policy settings remain fit for purpose, aligned with Government priorities, and responsive to the evolving needs of New Zealand’s economy and communities.

The Policy Manager, Gas and Fuel Policy is a team leadership and management position within the Energy Markets policy function. In this role you will lead the domain that is responsible for the regulatory frameworks and markets that support the supply and distribution of gas and liquid fuels in NZ.

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 goals
• Leading the team’s policy domain, providing policy advice, applying judgement including identifying risks and opportunities.
• Effectively influencing, and contributing to an authorising environment, through building and maintaining enduring relationships with senior stakeholders (including articulating and communicating the purpose of the team and the policy domain).

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

• 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 
• 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.

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō 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 ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki 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 kaupapa kua 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.

How to Apply - Me pēhea te tono:

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 Monica Chow at Monica.Chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/20341 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday 1st Nov 2026 at 11.59pm.