Principal Advisor Performance Measurement - Enterprise

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead MBIE’s performance measurement.
• Permanent, full-time position based in our central Wellington offices
• Salary $132,417 - $160,472 + Kiwisaver + Employee Wellness Benefit

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

The Principal Advisor, Performance Measurement (Enterprise) provides enterprise level leadership on the design, quality, and continuous improvement of non financial performance measures across the Ministry. The role holds Ministry wide functional authority for performance measurement standards and is accountable for lifting enterprise maturity, consistency, and audit credibility of public performance information.

As the Ministry’s recognised subject matter expert, the role sets mandatory enterprise standards, provides authoritative technical direction, and advises on high risk and high profile measures ahead of senior sign out and external publication. The Principal Advisor leads enterprise wide frameworks and practices to ensure measures are meaningful, robust, auditable, and aligned with Office of the Auditor General expectations.

The role manages material enterprise risks associated with poor quality performance measures, including audit, reputational, and accountability risks. Operating with high autonomy and professional judgement, the Principal Advisor provides trusted advice to senior leaders and escalates unresolved risks through appropriate governance channels, including CFO and DCE leadership where required.

In this role, you will: 

• Act as the Ministry’s enterprise authority and senior technical adviser on non financial performance measurement
• Set and maintain mandatory enterprise standards for measure design, documentation, quality, and governance
• Lead the development and implementation of enterprise wide frameworks, guidance, tools, and quality review mechanisms
  
• Provide authoritative advice on complex, high risk or high profile performance measures prior to senior sign out and external publication
• Lead responses to audit findings and recommendations, strengthening system integrity and reducing recurrence
• Drive a shift from compliance focused measurement to meaningful performance insight, learning, and improvement
• Advise senior leadership on enterprise level risks, priorities, and investment decisions relating to performance measurement

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

You will bring significant credibility, technical depth, and professional judgement, along with the ability to influence without formal authority.  You will ideally have:

• Extensive (10+ years) experience in non financial performance measurement within large, complex organisations
• Deep expertise in performance measure design, assurance readiness, and audit engagement
• Strong understanding of public sector accountability frameworks, planning and reporting cycles, and integrated financial and non financial reporting
• Proven experience leading organisation wide uplift or system improvement initiatives
• Confidence engaging with senior executives, governance groups, and external assurance providers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical issues into clear, defensible advice
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent professional judgement under scrutiny and time pressure
• A relevant tertiary qualification (postgraduate study and/or formal audit or assurance experience is advantageous)
• 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.

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 CV and cover letter detailing your skills and experience.

Email Jess Dalbeth at jess.dalbeth@mbie.govt.nz if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Tuesday 28 April 2026 (midnight)