Principal Advisor

This role is a fixed term position in response to increased demand within our high priority work programmes. We are surging in people and resources in response to these priorities.

**Mo te turanga mahi | About the role**

Join the team delivering an industrial-scale, once-in-a-generation transformation of Aotearoa's planning and environmental management system.

As Principal Advisor - System Change and Transformation, you'll be the Chief System Transformation Officer's right hand shaping strategy, driving system-wide change, and influencing the future of New Zealand's planning and environmental landscape. This is a rare opportunity to lead at the heart of a national reform programme, working alongside senior leaders, iwi/Maori, and sector partners.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Shape and lead system-wide change management frameworks for the RM3 transformation programme, driving readiness and capability uplift across central and local government, iwi/Maori, and sector partners.

- Influence and orchestrate complex, multi-stakeholder transformation, ensuring coherent, integrated change aligned with national policy, digital, and sector objectives.

- Champion innovation, inclusiveness, and continuous improvement in system change practice, setting the standard for sector capability uplift.

- Provide strategic assurance to senior leaders and governance groups, monitoring progress and surfacing risks to enable informed decision-making.

- Operate at the intersection of government, iwi/Maori, and sector stakeholders, shaping the future of New Zealand's planning and environmental system.

**Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience**

To be successful in this role you will need:

- Proven senior leadership in large-scale, complex transformation programmes.

- Expertise in change management, sector readiness, and stakeholder engagement.

- Strategic acumen and the ability to influence at all levels, including without direct line authority.

- Commitment to innovation, inclusiveness, and partnership with iwi/Maori and sector stakeholders.

**Whanuitanga Utu a-Tau | Salary range**

Salary range for this role is $142,185 to $172,853 pa. Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.

**Nga hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE**

- a flexible working approach to embrace a healthy work-life blend
- agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as 'One MfE'
- active employee networks including Maori Ropu, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network
- opportunities for development and education.

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home. As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business. We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone._ _

Interviews will take place during the week beginning 19th January 2026.