Programme Director, Plant Health and Environment Capability

**Job title**:Programme Director - Plant Health and Environment Capability

**Role type**: Fixed-term, full time

**Fixed Term**:September 2025 - April 2029

**Location**: Wellington City

**_ Also open to Auckland based applicants_**

**Salary band & range Z**: $189,432 - $252,907 per annum depending on skills and experience_ _

**About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga**

Biosecurity New Zealand is seeking an experienced Programme Director to lead the next phase of delivery for the Plant Health and Environment Capability (PHEC) Programme - a several hundred-million-dollar infrastructure and business transformation programme that will deliver a state-of-the-art high-biocontainment facility in Auckland and scheduled to be operational in 2029.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of biosecurity in Aotearoa by delivering fit-for-purpose, resilient, and future-ready biocontainment facilities, capabilities, and systems. You will play a pivotal role in a complex programme that spans construction, systems development, and organisational change, with high visibility across government and industry.

The Programme Director will drive delivery of the programme, oversee construction and complex business transformation initiatives, ensuring robust governance, strategic risk management, and stakeholder engagement. They will lead a high-performing team, manage relationships across government and industry, and provide expert advice to senior leadership and governance boards.

Due to the nature of this role, some domestic travel will be required at times.

**About You - Mou**

You are an experienced leader with a proven track record in delivering complex, cross-agency initiatives that drive meaningful change. You will bring:

- Previous experience leading business transformation programmes, including operating models, ICT, culture and behaviour change
- Strategic leadership and governance
- Financial and risk management
- Ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholders and communities

While not essential, some experience in infrastructure delivery would be advantageous. You will possess a sound understanding of public sector operations and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

**About the Team** - **Mo to matou Ropu**

Reporting to the Director Strategy, Performance and Treaty Partnerships, you will have a team of up to 20 staff, including 5 direct reports.

Together, the team operates in a collaborative, outcomes-focused environment, committed to delivering infrastructure and capability that protects New Zealand's environment and supports the Ministry's strategic goals.

**About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua**

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki - guardianship of our natural resources.
- _

**Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua**
- Additional MPI leave days
- Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
- Professional membership reimbursement

**Security checks - Nga Taki Whakahaumaru**

**Low level Security Clearance (Confidential)**
- most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has **resided continuously in New Zealand**for at least the last **five (5) years**, OR
- is a citizen of, **and/or has resided continuously** in one or more of the following countries for the last **five (5) years**: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); **and** has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
- click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.
- _

**Credit check - Tirotiro nama**

**Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?**

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

**Applications close at midnight on**Sunday 24 August.**

**Follow MPI here - Whaia nga t**u**hononga ki MPI i**

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X