Manager, National Resilience Policy

Manager, National Resilience Policy

Wellington | Fixed term until June 2027 | Full-time

Help shape New Zealands ability to thrive in the face of future challenges.

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) works at the heart of government, providing advice and coordination to support the Prime Minister and Cabinets decision-making. Within our National Security and Resilience group, we are seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to join us as Manager, National Resilience Policy.

This role establishes a new National Resilience Policy team and provides leadership across New Zealands national resilience policy landscape, coordinating cross-agency efforts to strengthen the countrys ability to endure, adapt, and thrive through significant shocks and stressors-whether natural, economic, social, or technological.

As Manager, you will:

• Establish and lead a high-performing policy team to deliver evidence-based, future-focused advice to senior leaders and Ministers.
• Set strategic direction for resilience policy and ensure alignment across government.
• Drive cross-agency collaboration to integrate resilience thinking into policy and investment decisions.
• Provide thought leadership on crisis response and recovery policy, ensuring New Zealand adapts and emerges stronger from disruptive events.
• Build trusted relationships across the system, influencing policy coherence and investment decisions.

You will be a leader who can bring clarity to complexity, foster collaboration across government, and translate resilience insights into actionable policy. You will be experienced in leading teams on complex, cross-cutting issues with long-term national impact, with a strong understanding of New Zealands resilience and risk frameworks.

About You Mou Ano

What were looking for:

• Significant experience in public policy leadership, ideally in resilience, risk, or another cross-cutting system.
• Strong strategic thinking, systems-thinking, and analytical skills.
• The ability to influence senior leaders, Ministers, and cross-agency stakeholders.
• A track record of developing high-performing, engaged policy teams.
• A tertiary qualification in public policy, law, economics, political science, or a related discipline.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Special security clearance.

This role is full-time, fixed-term until June 2027, offering the chance to deliver meaningful change over a defined horizon while building your leadership profile in a high-profile area.

If youre a collaborative leader who thrives in complexity and wants to shape the future of New Zealands resilience, we want to hear from you.

About The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Runanga K wanatanga

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) supports the government of the day by leading, advising, stewarding and delivering activities across the public sector, and by providing dedicated advice and support to the Governor-General, Prime Minister and portfolio Ministers.

Why Join Us? | N te aha i Tuhono Mai Ai Ki a M tou?

Working at DPMC means being at the heart of some of the most significant and impactful work in Aotearoa New Zealand. This is a rare opportunity to make a real impact on how New Zealand prepares for and responds to the challenges of tomorrow. You will be working at the centre of government on issues that matter to every New Zealander-building resilience, safeguarding wellbeing, and ensuring our nation is prepared to adapt and thrive.

How to Apply Me pehea te tono:

A full job description is available below. If this role is of interest, please click 'Apply now' and submit your tailored Cover Letter and CV. All applications must be made online. The closing date for this role is 5pm Sunday 23rd November 2025.