Principal Advisor | Entity Performance

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

•    2x Permanent full-time roles based in Wellington CBD
•    Salary $132,417 - $160,472 plus KiwiSaver and Wellness benefits 

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

As Principal Advisor, you will play a leading role in MBIE’s system of Crown entity performance monitoring and governance support. You will lead some of the most complex, sensitive and high profile performance and accountability work across MBIE’s monitored entities, providing authoritative advice and oversight on organisational performance, financial management, strategic direction, governance performance, capability, investment cases and risks and opportunities. 
Acting as a key interface between MBIE and a portfolio of Crown entities, you will connect policy, ownership, funding, and delivery perspectives, and work with senior leaders to set and monitor strategic outcomes and performance indicators. You will build trusted relationships with Ministers’ offices, Board directors, senior leaders, MBIE teams, Crown entities, and other public sector agencies.

Strengthen the performance of Crown entities
MBIE partners with a diverse range of Crown entities to deliver on the Government’s goals and objectives. These include:

• Regulators such as the Electricity Authority, WorkSafe New Zealand, the Commerce Commission and the Financial Markets Authority
• Delivery agencies such as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Tourism New Zealand, Invest New Zealand
• Crown companies such as the New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology, Bioeconomy Science Institute, Earth Sciences New Zealand, as well as New Zealand Growth Capital Partners
• The Accident Compensation Corporation 

MBIE’s Entity Performance branch currently has an active work programme spanning merger activity, entity disestablishment, major business cases, investigations and reviews. The branch will also monitor the Accident Compensation Corporation from 1 December.

MBIE is seeking a Principal Advisor, Entity Performance to lead performance monitoring and governance support across a portfolio of Crown entities. You will connect policy, ownership, funding, and delivery perspectives; help senior leaders and Ministers set clear expectations; and provide robust advice on entity performance, strategic risks, investments, and significant ownership matters.

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of government on issues that affect New Zealanders, helping ensure monitored entities are well governed, financially sustainable, focused on the right outcomes, and accountable for delivering value to New Zealanders.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
To be successful in this role, you will bring significant experience in economics, finance, investment, strategy, performance monitoring, policy or a related discipline, together with a demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex environments. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate a mix of: 
•    Strong commercial acumen and financial literacy.
•    Experience influencing senior decision-makers and building credibility with a broad range of stakeholders.
•    Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and deliver high-quality advice on complex issues.
•    Proven ability to think strategically, develop frameworks, and manage systems and processes.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong customer focus and commitment to professional service.
•    Understanding of data systems and frameworks, and experience using data analytics and insights.
•    Experience and interest in leading, coaching, and developing others, while contributing to quality assurance and continuous improvement across the team.
•    Understanding of government decision-making, Cabinet processes, legislation development and, parliamentary processes, accountability, and reporting.
•    A relevant tertiary qualification is required, preferably in economics, finance, law, commerce, science or public policy.

At time of application you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Why join MBIE?
At MBIE, we are committed to creating a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real outcomes for New Zealanders. You'll join a collaborative and supportive environment where your expertise will help shape outcomes that matter to New Zealanders.
We offer:
•    Meaningful and challenging work that influences New Zealand's future.
•    Opportunities to lead high-profile initiatives, working with experienced colleagues, senior leaders, and Crown entities.
•    A flexible and supportive working environment.
•    A commitment to wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
•    Professional development and leadership opportunities.

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:

If you are a strategic thinker who enjoys tackling complex issues, strengthening public sector performance, and influencing change that contributes to better outcomes for New Zealanders, we would love to hear from you.
Apply now and help strengthen the performance and governance of Crown entities.

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/20179 if you have any further questions.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday 14 October 2026.