Principal Advisor
Wellington, NZ, 6011
Discover a career with purpose at MBIE
- Fixed term or secondment Principal Advisor (Implementation) position until June 2026.
- Focused on implementation and operational policy work for the building regulatory system.
- Salary between $132,417 and $160,472 depending on level of experience
- Based in Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland.
Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:
The Principal Advisor (Implementation) reports directly to the Manager, System Performance and Implementation. They are responsible for supporting the Manager with leading the team’s work programme and helping ensure that projects are delivered to a high standard within timeframes. They will share their depth of knowledge and experience to help turn complex policy and technical information into practical, fit for purpose implementation and design solutions, guidance and operational policy for the building system.
They will utilise behavioural change and design thinking strategies, approaches and tools to shape their thinking and proactively identity areas for improvement. They will support and mentor Senior Advisors with their work. As an influential and persuasive communicator, they’ll take people on the journey with them and recognise the importance of working collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure their work reflects the building systems priorities.
Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required
We are looking for someone who:
- is a proactive, positive, strategic thinker
- has demonstrated experience in leading the implementation of complex policy or technical projects with staff across different teams and disciplines
- has knowledge and experience of design thinking principles, solutions design and operational policy
- has knowledge or experience in writing guidance documents and/or developing policies for secondary legalisation, such as methodologies or rules
- possesses excellent influencing, interpersonal and communication skills
- has experience managing contractual arrangements for out-sourced service provision; and
- brings a commitment to developing our team and branch culture
The Principal Advisor will need to be able to proactively think about how to drive change and innovation, for example, how to change people's behaviour and the way they think about designing, constructing and operating buildings. We are looking for a senior level candidate who has high energy, excellent interpersonal skills, can establish credibility and enjoys working collaboratively.
Naturally, you'll have strong leadership and relationship management skills, with a proven ability to influence stakeholders. This is a highly collaborative role that will need to actively build and maintain relationships across the building regulatory system within MBIE and with building consent authorities/councils. You will also need to help facilitate and/or participate in policy and technical working group discussions and gather subject matter intel from external stakeholders.
If this sounds like you, and you are ready for your next challenging role where you can make a difference, then apply online now.
About the System Performance and Implementation Team
The System Performance and Implementation team provides expertise, insights and knowledge to support the effective operation of the building regulatory system and to deliver high quality implementation of policy changes.
The team has a number of regulatory functions and responsibilities, including:
- leading the branch stakeholder engagement frameworks and approach
- leading the improvement of performance monitoring of building regulatory system outcomes
- leading the improvement of internal processes, particularly allocation and tracking processes for building levy expenditure
- driving cross system governance and regulatory partnerships for the building system
- providing programme management, planning support and capability to priority work programmes
- leading the design and implementation of new changes to the building regulatory system, including leading the development of implementation material required to successfully implement new policy change.
The System Performance and Implementation team sits in the Building System Performance (BSP) branch at MBIE. BSP is responsible for policy and technical oversight, development, implementation, and regulation of New Zealand’s building regulatory system. BSP has an important regulatory stewardship role ensuring the legislative framework and policy settings remain fit for purpose from a regulatory perspective and meet Government objectives. BSP works with a range of people across the building sector to understand what matters to them, and to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities. We also work with other regulators whose legislation and policies have an impact on the building sector.
Internally, BSP works across the building regulatory system on priority work programmes that have system-wide implications and outcomes.
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.
Email Monica Chow at monica.chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/16858 if you have any further questions.
Applications close on Sunday, 30 March.