Programme Manager, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

•    Lead the Crown's involvement in one of the world's largest sporting events
•    Shape New Zealand's strategic, economic, tourism and legacy outcomes from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028
•    Provide strategic leadership across a complex cross-government programme and successfully influence and partner with key stakeholders
•    Work closely with Ministers, senior government leaders, and key event partners including New Zealand Cricket, the ICC and host cities
•    Fixed-term opportunity to March 2029 | Wellington CBD location 
•    Salary range: $164,957 - $247,435 plus wellness benefits.

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

This is a rare opportunity to lead New Zealand's involvement in one of the world's premier sporting events. We're looking for a strategic senior leader who can bring together diverse stakeholders around  shared vision and successfully deliver outcomes of national significance.

You will be comfortable working with ambiguity, competing priorities and public visibility, and skilled at building trust and alignment with senior stakeholders who may bring different objectives, pressures and accountabilities. You will have the credibility and presence to operate confidently with Ministers and senior leaders, the strategic mindset to identify opportunities beyond immediate delivery, and the programme leadership capability to ensure New Zealand maximises the value and legacy of hosting the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028.

Reporting to the General Manager Tourism and Hospitality, the Programme Manager, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028 will lead MBIE's role as the Crown lead agency responsible for overseeing New Zealand's participation in the tournament and ensuring government objectives are successfully delivered.

As Programme Manager, you will provide strategic leadership across a high-profile and nationally significant programme involving multiple government agencies, Ministers, New Zealand Cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC), host cities, venue operators and key delivery partners.

This is not a conventional programme management role. Success will require an experienced programme leader who can operate strategically across government and the major events system, influence without always holding direct levers, and maintain clear sight of delivery risks, Crown interests and wider opportunities for Aotearoa New Zealand. 

You will be responsible for ensuring the Crown's interests and objectives are represented in key decisions, government investment is effectively governed and monitored, and stakeholders have confidence that tournament delivery is on track.

Beyond successful tournament delivery, you will lead a cross-government leverage and legacy programme designed to maximise the economic, tourism, trade, cultural, community and participation benefits generated by the event.

This role will suit an accomplished programme leader who thrives in complex environments, can navigate competing priorities, build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, and provide confident leadership through ambiguity and change.

Most importantly, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to help showcase New Zealand on the world stage while delivering lasting benefits for communities, industry, tourism and the wider economy.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required

What you will bring:

• Significant experience leading large-scale, complex programmes or major initiatives within government, major events, infrastructure, tourism, sport, international partnerships or another high-profile, complex environment
• A strong strategic mindset, with the ability to connect programme delivery to wider government, economic, tourism, trade, cultural, community and legacy outcomes
• Strong understanding of how to operate effectively in or with government, including Ministers, senior officials, governance groups and public-sector accountability settings
• Demonstrated experience working across major event delivery environments, including multiple delivery partners, tight timeframes, public visibility and reputational risk
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across organisations, jurisdictions and interests, including where accountabilities, incentives and decision rights are shared or contested
• Excellent relationship building skills, with the ability to build trust and alignment across international bodies, central and local government, commercial partners, delivery organisations and community stakeholders
• Strong risk radar – the ability to see around corner and anticipate issues early, manage ambiguity and intervene before delivery, reputation or Crown interests are compromised
• Strong programme governance capability, including assurance, reporting, investment oversight, funding arrangements, contract management, budget management and resource prioritisation
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear, confident and high-quality advice to Ministers, senior leaders and governance groups
• Experience establishing and leading high-performing teams and creating a collaborative, delivery-focused culture in complex and ambiguous environments
• Demonstrated resilience, sound judgement and accountability when operating in a high-profile, fast-moving and politically sensitive context
• A relevant tertiary qualification in business, commerce, finance, law, event management or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand

Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance. Check your eligibility here

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:

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/20037 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Tuesday 15 September 2026.