Manager Security

Job title: Manager Security & Business Continuity Planning

Role type: Permanent, full time

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: B $138,938 to $178,986 depending on skills and experience

Midpoint $162,716

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

As our new Manager Security & Business Continuity Planning (BCP), you will play a pivotal role in protecting MPI's people, property, and assets. You'll lead a talented and diverse team, delivering robust physical security planning and business continuity advice across a wide range of environments from airports and seaports to office buildings and frontline services. You'll be overseeing an exciting period of change as we carry out major upgrades, ensuring our security systems and processes are fit for the future.

This is a unique opportunity to make a real impact, working with a creative, supportive team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. You'll advise senior leaders, support the Chief Security Officer, and help shape the security and resilience strategy for one of New Zealand's most important and wide reaching public sector organisations.

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Strong knowledge of government PSR (required)
• Technological security systems expertise (e.g. CCTV, access control, control rooms)
• Ability to carry out site risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies
• Leadership experience or training in a senior security-related role
• Proven ability to work across teams and with external providers
• Understanding of operational security needs and strategic alignment
• Experience in public sector (preferred)

Work in a role with real variety and national impact, supporting New Zealand's prosperity, sustainability, and resilience.

There will be some travel requirements to carry out site inspections (4-5 trips per year), occasionally overnight with plenty of advance notice.

About You - Mōu

You're a security professional with a broad perspective and experience working in large, complex organisations. You will bring leadership capability with a global outlook that informs your approach. You'll also bring strong practical experience in physical security with a solid understanding of the New Zealand Protective Security Requirements (PSR). Your business continuity management and planning skills will also ensure the organisation is well prepared for any significant disruptive event.

You'll work with the team to deliver site security and CCTV upgrade programmes, review standards, and manage incidents. We're a diverse organisation with airports, seaports, offices, and frontline services where your breadth of experience will be valued.

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Proven experience in security management, ideally in large or complex organisations (public sector experience desirable).
• Strong knowledge of government security standards (PSR) and experience with technological security systems (e.g., access control, CCTV).
• Demonstrated leadership skills, with a track record of developing and supporting diverse teams.
• Experience in business continuity planning and risk management.
• Experience in managing security incidents, site risk assessments, and developing mitigation strategies
• Ability to guide and support business continuity planning, ensuring MPI is prepared for the unexpected
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Tertiary qualification or relevant experience in protective security (a recognised certificate in Security and/or Business Continuity is desirable).

If you're passionate about security, resilience, and making a difference for Aotearoa, we want to hear from you

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

Be part of a diverse, fun, and supportive team that values creativity and collaboration. Enjoy a flexible, inclusive workplace where everyone is encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Yes, we even do the daily quiz

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Higher level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last ten (10) years, OR

• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last ten (10) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.

• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Credit check - Tirotiro nama

Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

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.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it - click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11.59pm 2 November 2025

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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