Senior Business Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Shape strategic direction at the heart of Immigration New Zealand. 
• Lead high impact work that strengthens system performance across Aotearoa.
• Influence senior decision makers with trusted, timely and insightful advice.
• Drive meaningful change in a role where complexity, connection and purpose come together.
• Permanent full-time opportunity based at Wellington location
• Salary range: $101,911 - $121,196 + KiwiSaver & Wellness Benefit

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

Immigration New Zealand is seeking an experienced Senior Business Advisor to play a pivotal role in shaping strategic direction, strengthening operational performance, and supporting senior leaders across the immigration system.

This is a senior advisory role for someone who thrives in complexity, builds trusted relationships, and brings strong judgement to high-impact operational and strategic issues that span agencies and government.

As a Senior Business Advisor, you will:

• Lead and deliver high-quality strategic and operational advice on complex, system-wide issues.
• Support the Branch General Manager, Immigration Leadership Team, and Ministers with accurate, timely advice.
• Drive excellence in planning, performance reporting, risk management, assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across Immigration New Zealand, MBIE, and external government and non-government stakeholders.
• Identify and manage emerging risks, sensitive issues, and opportunities, escalating where required.
• Ensure branch insights are well integrated into wider organisational reporting and insights frameworks.
• Contribute to key projects, initiatives, and system-wide improvements across Immigration New Zealand.
  
  

This role sits within the Business Support team and reports to the Business Support Manager.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

You will be a confident and credible advisor with strong public sector experience and a proven ability to influence at senior levels. You are pragmatic, politically aware, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

You’ll bring:

• Strong understanding of public sector operations, including Cabinet, parliamentary and machinery-of-government processes.
• Excellent political awareness and sensitivity, with the ability to anticipate and manage risk.
• Experience applying legislation in an operational environment (e.g. Immigration Act, OIA, Privacy Act).
• Proven strategic thinking and the ability to design and manage organisation-wide systems and processes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and work effectively with senior leaders on complex or sensitive issues.
• Strong stakeholder management skills across multiple agencies.
• High integrity and sound judgement when handling confidential information.
• A relevant qualification or equivalent experience.
  
  

You must be a New Zealand citizen or hold a permanent residence class visa and be able to gain and maintain a national security clearance.

Why work with us?

At MBIE and Immigration New Zealand, our purpose is to Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All. We put people at the heart of our mahi and are committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi through authentic partnership, good faith and active protection.

You’ll join a collaborative, values-led public service environment where your work will directly contribute to outcomes that matter for New Zealanders, now and into the future.

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 Nik Sharma at nikhil.sharma@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19258 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Friday, 10 April 2026