Principal Policy Advisors, Lead Complex Policy Programmes

Wellington | Permanent & Fixed-Term

Are you an experienced central government policy professional looking for your next challenge?

We're partnering with a large public sector organisation to recruit Principal Policy Advisors to join an established policy team delivering work that genuinely shapes outcomes for New Zealand.

This is a rare opportunity to join a team leading complex policy programmes across legislation, regulation, operational policy and cross-government initiatives. The work is intellectually challenging, highly visible and offers the chance to influence decision-making at the highest levels.

About the role

As a Principal Policy Advisor, you'll lead complex policy projects, provide expert strategic advice and help shape government decision-making on significant public policy issues.

You'll work closely with senior leaders, operational teams and partner agencies to develop evidence-based policy that can be implemented successfully in practice. Alongside delivering high-quality advice, you'll also mentor less experienced policy professionals and contribute to building policy capability across the team.

About you

To be successful you'll bring:

• Significant experience in central government policy
• Outstanding policy analysis and critical thinking skills
• The ability to produce high-quality advice in complex and fast-paced environments
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience leading complex work programmes and influencing across organisations
• A collaborative leadership style and a genuine interest in coaching others
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the ability to incorporate its principles into policy development
• A relevant tertiary qualification (desirable)

What's on offer

• Meaningful policy work with national impact
• A supportive and collaborative policy team
• Flexible working arrangements
• Professional development and career progression
• Wellington-based role

If you're an experienced policy professional looking to work on some of New Zealand's most challenging and rewarding policy issues, we'd love to hear from you.

As New Zealand's only specialist public sector recruitment firm, The Johnson Group represents a wide range of clients from social to regulatory to economic sectors. We are always keen to meet candidates, talk about their career aspirations, share market insights and see how we can assist in their next career move! We are keen to broaden our talent pool so we can be ready to assist our public sector clients.

For enquiries, please email your CV in Word Format to info@thejohnsongroup.co.nz.