Principal Advisor at Candidate Experience Site - Department of Internal Affairs

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 Jun, 26

Salary

161167.0

Posted On

23 Mar, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Strategy, Performance, Technical Leadership, Trusted Advice, Assurance, Judgment, Collaboration, Influencing, Programme Coordination, Environmental Scanning, Accountability Documents, Quality Focus, Mentoring, Coaching, Risk Management, Governance

Industry

Government Relations Services

Description

About Us | Mō mātou Enterprise Services | Nuku Toiere plays a pivotal role in shaping how the organisation operates and succeeds. As an enterprise-wide function, the branch delivers high-impact services across legal, finance, people and culture, communications, and strategy, governance and risk, supporting informed decision-making and strong organisational performance. The role | Te tūnga You’ll join the Strategy, Governance and Risk branch of Te Tari Taiwhenua (Internal Affairs) - a small branch with a big job. The branch provides departmental leadership and oversight across strategy and performance, governance, security and resilience, and risk and assurance matters. The Principal Advisor Strategy & Performance role is a senior, high-trust position providing leadership and oversight across key strategy and performance functions, supporting the department to operate as a high-performing public service organisation. You’ll provide technical leadership across the Strategy & Governance team—leading initiatives, mentoring team members, and overseeing complex work. You’ll be a trusted advisor to the General Manager and Manager, Strategy and Governance, and regularly engage with the Chief Executive, ELT and senior leaders to provide advice, assurance, and practical support across an assigned portfolio. The role also leads major department-wide processes such as environmental scanning, developing and maintaining strategy/performance tools and frameworks, and coordinating key accountability documents. Success will come from strong judgement, the ability to deliver quality work under pressure, and a collaborative approach that builds credibility and connection across the department and with external stakeholders. What you bring | Nōu te rourou * Proven experience, and the ability to provide technical leadership, in strategy and performance * Confidence providing trusted advice, including sound judgement, assurance, and high-quality advice to the CE/ELT and senior leaders * A collaborative, influencing style—working across portfolios and branches and aligning stakeholders without direct authority * Experience leading and coordinating programmes and processes, such as environmental scanning and accountability document cycles, including bringing inputs together and supporting timely delivery * A focus on quality and continuous improvement, including setting clear standards, monitoring quality, and supporting new ways of working * A supportive people-leadership approach, including coaching and mentoring advisors and contributing to recruitment and performance Experience in a principal role, including leading department-wide initiatives, is essential. You’ll bring a proactive, can-do approach, enjoy working collaboratively to deliver results, and be able to connect and leverage work across the department to lift overall effectiveness—while keeping a practical, pragmatic focus. For you | Mōu At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo. To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see why we're a great place to work check out our website https://www.dia.govt.nz/ [https://www.dia.govt.nz/] Benefits - About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits - dia.govt.nz [https://www.dia.govt.nz/About-Internal-Affairs---Careers-with-us---Benefits] The appointing range for this role $129,510 - $161,167, with appointments typically made at the mid-point depending on experience. To review the full job description, please click here. [https://www.dia.govt.nz/job-description/ES-Principal-Advisor-Strategy-Performance/$file/ES-Principal-Advisor-Strategy-Performance.pdf] How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application. We're committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you. Applications for this role close 5pm, Wednesday 8 April 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role. If you have any questions please email Recruiter - Jayden Vallabh, Jayden.Vallabh@dia.govt.nz [Jayden.Vallabh@dia.govt.nz]

Responsibilities

This senior role provides leadership and oversight across key strategy and performance functions within the Strategy, Governance and Risk branch, supporting the department to operate as a high-performing public service organization. Responsibilities include leading initiatives, mentoring team members, advising senior leaders, and coordinating major department-wide processes like environmental scanning and accountability document cycles.