Senior Advisor Planning, Performance and Improvement

Role Overview

We are looking for two Senior Advisor positions in Planning, Performance and Improvement within the Driving or Commercial Transport regulatory sub-systems. These roles have been newly created to enhance regulatory performance and operational delivery across New Zealand's land transport system by linking planning efforts, workflow coordination, and performance insights to the key priorities.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate effective planning and delivery ensuring the regulatory system functions efficiently.
• Integrate priorities, risk assessments, trade-off considerations, and performance data to guide improved decision-making.
• Analyze performance metrics to identify emerging trends, risks, issues, and opportunities.
• Offer clear, practical, and evidence-rooted advice to leadership and operational teams.
• Coordinate cross-team information and collaboration to support cohesive service delivery.
• Monitor progress against plans and highlight areas requiring prompt intervention.
• Enhance planning frameworks, tools, and processes for usability, consistency, and simplicity.
• Support governance frameworks, committee, ministerial, Official Information Act requests, and reporting duties.

Candidate Profile

• Strong familiarity with regulatory frameworks, government processes, or complex operational settings.
• Experience in planning, prioritizing, or coordinating activities across diverse teams or multiple workstreams.
• Robust analytical capabilities to interpret data, uncover trends, evaluate risks, and spot improvement areas.
• History of involvement in performance tracking, reporting, assurance, or governance procedures.
• Proven ability to offer well-structured, evidence-backed advisories that assist in effective decision-making.
• Excellent interpersonal and engagement skills to collaborate across various teams and functions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, dashboard creation, and briefing preparation.
• Good judgment, meticulousness, and a proactive mindset in addressing ambiguous challenges.
• Familiarity with project or program management approaches is advantageous.
• Commitment or desire to understand Te Ao Māori, tikanga, Te Reo Māori, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as applied in the public sector.

About the Employer

The Regulatory section of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is the leading authority overseeing land transport safety and compliance. Their mandate prioritizes safety while promoting fairness and sound regulatory practices grounded in Te Ao Māori principles, adopting a system-wide perspective that emphasizes outcomes, education, and enforcement as needed.

Benefits and Rewards

• Flexible working arrangements contingent on role requirements.
• Opportunities for professional growth and learning.
• A supportive, collaborative working environment.
• Five weeks of annual leave.
• Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for permanent staff members.
• Access to a range of wellbeing initiatives and employee perks.

Additional Information

• The application deadline is 7 October 2026.
• Applicants must have legal rights to live and work in New Zealand.
• Waka Kotahi is committed to equal opportunity employment and an inclusive workplace and invites applicants to request any necessary accommodations during recruitment.
• Applications may be reviewed and shortlisted as they are received; early applications are encouraged.