Senior Advisor Operational Policy

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Do you have previous Operational Policy, Service Design or regulatory experience?
• Work on the design of regulatory systems across a range of topics
• See the direct impact of your work by translating legislation and policy into real solutions for Aotearoa
• Permanent opportunity, Wellington-based location
• Salary range: $110,098 - $138,028 plus kiwisaver and wellness benefits

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Advisor to join our Operational Policy team in the Resource Markets branch.

This is a role focused on making policy real. You’ll take new or changing policy, legislation, and operational processes and translate them into clear, practical guidance, tools, and system changes that staff can use and applicants can understand.

You will lead and support other advisors, providing guidance and mentoring to build capability and deliver high-quality work.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead the design and delivery of operational changes, ensuring they are practical, well understood, and effectively embedded. This includes:

• Developing operational policies that set out how legislation should be applied in practice
• Designing and updating forms, guidance, and ICT system changes
• Leading stakeholder engagement and communications to support implementation
• Improving processes and procedures so they are clear, consistent, and fit for purpose
• Working across teams to connect policy intent with operational delivery
• Providing leadership and mentoring other staff and advisors

Some recent examples of our work include:

• Implementing the Offshore Renewable Energy regime
• Delivering changes to the Crown Minerals Act
• Supporting the Fast-track consenting process

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

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

• Experience in Operational Policy, service design or a regulatory role.
• Experience working on technical, political and/or legally complex projects.
• Ability to integrate the ‘big picture’ (strategic and/or long term) with day-to-day operational processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to integrate and balance statutory and specialist technical information.

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE and Resource Markets:

MBIE administers the Crown Minerals Act (CMA) 1991 (and its predecessors) on behalf of the New Zealand Government.

What we regulate

We regulate the right to prospect, explore, and mine Crown-owned minerals on behalf of the Minister of Resources.

Under the Crown Minerals Act we issue permits to operators to explore and develop New Zealand’s mineral and petroleum resources based on their technical and financial competence.

We monitor operators’ compliance with their permits and make sure New Zealand is getting a fair financial return for the nation’s resources.

MBIE also provides policy advice to the government to make sure this system is working. This includes making sure that that we have a framework to issue permits, and the compliance tools we need.

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, we are committed to creating a safe, trusting, inclusive workplace where our people can thrive. 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.

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.

Email Monica Chow at Monica.Chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19727 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday, 5th July 2026, at 11:59pm.