Principal Advisor Operations

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead and support tactical responses to operational activities
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends and events
• Drive efforts towards operational excellence
• Provide expertise, guidance and advice for decision makers
• Salary ranges from $118,390 – 143,639 | Wellington based
• Secondment to 28 July 2026

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We're seeking a talented Principal Advisor Operations to lead and support our tactical responses and drive operational excellence.

As a results-driven individual with a passion for delivering successful outcomes in a demanding environment, this is your opportunity to join us in shaping the future of INZ.

As part of the Deputy Chief Operating Officer’s team, you'll play a critical role in ensuring INZ is delivering on its strategy.

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

As part of the Deputy Chief Operating Officer’s team, you'll play a critical role in ensuring INZ is delivering on its strategy. 

To be eligible for the role you will need to hold either a New Zealand citizenship or a New Zealand Permanent Resident visa.

In this role, you'll:

• Offer subject matter expertise, guidance, and advice for decision-makers
• Assist in the development of operational advice or briefings
• Monitor sensitive cases to ensure good outcomes, providing support where required
• Stay ahead of emerging trends, events, and internal initiatives
• Identify opportunities for improvement
• Ensure all operational units of INZ are aligned in their delivery

You'll also engage and collaborate with key stakeholders across the organisation and wider Ministry to address gaps in processes that impact our priorities.

Being a self-starter with deep and extensive immigration experience and the ability/experience to lead issues will be key to your success in this role.

Don't miss this opportunity to join a dynamic and fast-paced team. Apply now and take the next step in your career at INZ.

For more information on the skills and experience required, please refer to the job description. Apply now and take the next step in your career at INZ. 

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 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.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Dorinda Te Kiri at dorinda.tekiri@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/18417 if you have any further questions.

Applications close 14 October 2025