Senior Policy Advisor - Rules, Regulatory and Legislative change

Fixed Term Contract to June 2028

Wellington based

Salary: $110,000 – $150,000

Job Ref: JAA26524

About the opportunity

We’re partnering with a large government agency on a high-profile, nationally significant legislative change programme and are seeking an experienced Senior Policy Advisor to join a small, high-performing project team.

This role sits at the heart of shaping changes to rules and regulations to inform legislative and systems change, contributing to improvements that will enhance how systems and services are delivered to the New Zealand public.

This is a fixed-term contract through to June 2028, offering the chance to make a meaningful long-term impact while working on complex and rewarding policy challenges.

About the role

Working closely with the Project Lead, you will:

• Contribute to technical legislative, regulatory and rules change initiatives
• Develop high-quality policy advice and analysis to support decision-making
• Scope and assess policy options to improve system efficiency and service delivery
• Produce core policy outputs including briefings, Cabinet papers, RIS, and reports
• Engage with stakeholders across government to support policy development

What we’re looking for

You’ll be an experienced policy professional with a strong grounding in regulatory or legislative policy change who enjoys getting into the technical detail of rules and regulations that inform legislative and systems change.

Key requirements:

• Proven experience at Senior Policy Advisor level
• Strong background in legislative or regulatory policy change
• Ability to get into the technical detail of rules and regulatory changes that affect legislative change
• Strong technical ability along with an understanding of secondary legislation and core policy fundamentals is key
• Excellent policy analysis and writing skills
• Experience delivering key policy products (briefings, RIS, Cabinet papers, etc.)
• Understanding of machinery of government
• Some form of legal background, qualification, training or exposure would be ideal but not essential
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills are key

Why apply?

• Work on a high-impact, nationally significant legislative change programme
• Get involved in detailed technical rules and regulatory changes to inform legislative change
• Join a collaborative, expert team environment
• Competitive salary and long-term contract stability (to 2028)
• Opportunity to shape real-world legislative and system improvements

Apply now

If this sounds like your next move, apply now with your CV and cover letter (Word format).

For a confidential discussion, contact info@thejohnsongroup.co.nz quoting JAA26524.