Principal Advisor | Economic Growth
Wellington, NZ, 6011
Discover a career with purpose at MBIE
• Play a leading role at the centre of Government, delivering high-impact work that shapes New Zealand’s economic future.
• Own and drive complex, visible projects while working directly with Ministers’ Offices, MBIE’s CE and senior private sector leaders.
• Bring your strategic engagement expertise to connect Government and business at the highest level.
• Apply a rare combination of strategic, policy and engagement expertise.
• Permanent full-time position | Wellington based location
• Salary: $132,417 - $160,472 + Kiwisaver + wellness benefits
Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:
The Principal Advisor, Economic Growth Programmes is a senior and influential role, operating across a diverse portfolio of work that supports New Zealand’s economic growth.
You will lead complex, high-priority projects and workstreams, with a strong and sustained focus on strategic engagement at the most senior levels. Working closely with the Engagement Lead, you will design, coordinate and deliver engagement for Ministers, MBIE’s Chief Executive, and senior leaders—ensuring activity is well-sequenced, purposeful, and aligned to Government priorities.
A key aspect of the role is direct engagement with senior private sector leaders, including Chief Executives and industry representatives. You will build trusted relationships, support meaningful dialogue between Government and business, and help shape how MBIE connects with and influences key stakeholders.
Alongside this, you will contribute across the full breadth of the Economic Growth Programmes team. This includes providing strategic advice, supporting delivery across multiple workstreams, and stepping into priority work as required. The role requires the ability to move seamlessly between engagement leadership, policy-informed thinking, and programme delivery.
You will also play a key role in lifting capability across the team—providing coaching, setting clear expectations of quality, and contributing to a high-performing, collaborative culture.
This position demands sound judgement, discretion, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, politically aware environment.
What you’ll be doing:
• Designing and delivering strategic business engagement for Ministers, the Chief Executive and senior leaders.
• Managing and delivering engagement with senior private sector stakeholders, including business leaders.
• Providing strategic advice on engagement approaches, sequencing, risks and opportunities.
• Developing high-quality briefings, talking points and materials for senior audiences.
• Supporting alignment across programmes and workstreams – often across the breadth of MBIE, to ensure integrated engagement activity.
• Contributing across the wider Economic Growth Programmes team by leading and supporting priority projects and workstreams as required, including on the Government’s flagship Going For Growth programme.
• Coaching and mentoring team members, supporting capability uplift and consistent quality of outputs.
Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -
Skills and Experience Required
We are seeking a highly capable professional with experience across the public sector, specifically with strategic engagement and communications, who can operate autonomously and has a delivery focus.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic engagement in a complex public sector or political environment.
• Proven ability to design and deliver engagement strategies that support senior decision-makers, aligned to strategic outcomes.
• Strong understanding of machinery of government and Ministerial processes, and experience working closely with senior leaders.
• Highly developed political acumen, judgement and discretion, including managing sensitive issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including producing high-quality briefings and material for senior audiences.
• Track record of building and maintaining trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including external partners.
• Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, managing multiple workstreams concurrently.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with delivery focus.
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines – including engagement, policy, programme or advisory work.
• Experience coaching and mentoring others, contributing to a high-performing team environment.
**At time of application 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 submit your 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 Fati Tagata at fati.tagata@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19611 if you have any further questions.
Applications close on Sunday 14 June 2026.