About this role
<div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Discover a career with purpose at MBIE</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Trusted strategic adviser to the Chief Executive </span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Lead a newly established, high-performing central office</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Senior public sector leadership role, Wellington-based</span></li> </ul> <p> </p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Mō mātou | About Us</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment exists to Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All. Our work spans economic policy, regulation, investment, and service delivery. We are service providers, policy makers, investors, and regulators, and our work touches the daily lives of New Zealanders across every region and sector.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">In January 2026, a new Chief Executive was appointed under the title of Secretary for Economic Growth. This signals a deliberate shift in mandate: a more prominent, externally focused role driving the conditions for economic growth across New Zealand. The organisation has responded with a refreshed set of strategic priorities and a restructured central office to match.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">MBIE operates from Wellington with a broad and diverse remit. We are committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to building authentic partnerships with Māori as we deliver on our purpose.</span></p> <p> </p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">This is a newly created senior leadership role at the centre of MBIE. As Head of the Office of the Chief Executive, you will lead a high-performing CEs office and serve as a key strategic partner. You will help the CE operate effectively, drive key priority programmes, maintain situational awareness across the organisation, and ensure MBIE’s strategic direction is reflected in how the organisation works day to day.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">The Office has been purposefully restructured and expanded. You will lead a team comprising two Principal Advisors, a Senior Advisor, and a Director of Strategic Communications. This gives you real resource to be proactive and purposeful.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Key responsibilities include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Providing the CE with high-quality strategic advice across any aspect of their responsibilities, including filtering and escalating information as needed</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Maintaining situational awareness across MBIE and acting as an escalation point for issues requiring the CE’s attention</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Building and maintaining strong relationships with key staff across government to anticipate and respond to requests</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Supporting well-coordinated, high-quality engagement with and servicing of Ministers</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Leading and developing the Office as a high-performing, trusted central function</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Maintaining oversight of emerging, sensitive, or high-impact issues across the Ministry and ensuring effective escalation and response</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Acting as the CE’s personal representative or delegate where required</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">The role reports directly to the Secretary for Economic Growth and Chief Executive of MBIE, and sits as part of the Senior Leadership Team.</span></p> <p> </p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Ko wai koe | About you</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">You are a senior public sector leader with deep familiarity with the machinery of government and the judgement to operate at the most senior levels. You are analytically credible, politically astute, and relational enough to raise difficult things well. You hold your own in a room with Deputy Secretaries, Chief Executives and Ministers, and you know when to push and when to listen.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">You will bring:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Significant senior leadership experience in the New Zealand public sector, with strong knowledge of central government processes and the ministerial interface</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Direct experience working with Ministers, including an understanding of parliamentary protocol and how to get things done in that environment</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality strategic advice to senior executives, with the confidence to offer constructive challenge</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Strong political nous and organisational savvy, with a track record of navigating sensitive issues and maintaining the trust of senior colleagues</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Proven experience leading high-performing teams and building a culture of professionalism and responsiveness</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Strong issues and risk management capability, including the ability to identify emerging matters early and drive coordinated responses</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">The ability to operate with discretion, integrity, and sound judgement in a confidential environment</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Exceptional judgment and communication skills, including the ability to distil complex information into clear, concise advice</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">This role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret national security clearance. </span></p> <p> </p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt"><a title="" href="https://www.mbie.govt.nz/position-descriptions/office-of-the-chief-executive/head-of-the-office-of-the-chief-executive" target="_self">Click here to view a position description.</a></span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">For a copy of the information pack please email Amy Tea or Jo Bell at <a title="" href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_self">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">To apply, please email your cover letter and CV to <a title="" href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_self">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Please be assured that a human will carefully read every application. We encourage judicious use of AI.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this job.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10.0pt">Applications close Friday, 3rd July 2026.</span></p> <p> </p></div></div></div>