Team Leader Patents

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Lead and manage a team of examiners in the Patents (Science) and PVR team, in a rewarding and challenging environment
• Join a collaborative and results-driven TL and extended leadership team
• Flexible working options and opportunities to develop your skills and progress your career
• Permanent role with a Salary of $118.390 – $143,639 + wellness benefits and kiwisaver, location in Wellington or Christchurch

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

Team Leaders are responsible for leading and managing a technical examination team.  This vacancy reports to the Manager, Patents (Science) and PVR.  

You will be accountable for setting your team's goals and devising strategies to ensure the team meets its output and quality objectives.  You will be responsible for building your team's overall capability, including its resourcing and staff development.  You will oversee the team’s difficult and contentious cases to minimise business risk, and ensure the best outcomes for applicants and the public interest.  

As a member of the extended Leadership Team, you will work closely with existing TLs in the Patents, PVR and Designs teams.  You will also be expected to contribute to the overall strategic direction, projects, and constant business improvement initiatives, and support the Managers to achieve the wider business objectives.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required

We are keen to hear from you if you have:

• Lead, motivated and coached others to achieve their goals and deliver high-quality results, preferably within IP or another regulatory system
• Effective communication skills to create connections with stakeholders and collaborate with peers to maintain consistency across IPONZ
• Good judgment, prioritisation and time management skills, with ability to make sound decisions in complex situations
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to addressing challenges.
• A strong commitment to personal growth and development
• Experience in contributing to strategic direction, projects and constant business improvement initiatives

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 Matt Guy at matt.guy@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/18403 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 17th of October 2025