General Manager Policy

The Policy and Te Tiriti | He Pou Rarama branch is responsible for providing policy advice to the Ministers on topics such as identity, online safety, gambling, fire, racing, and charities. In addition, the Branch oversees crown monitoring, manages board appointments, and supports Māori‑Crown relationships and treaty settlements. The branch plays a pivotal role in delivering legal services, ensuring privacy, supporting Commissions and inquiries, and providing ministerial services.

The General Manager Policy is a critical leadership role, accountable for setting the strategic direction, performance and impact of the Policy group. As a senior member of the Policy and Te Tiriti Leadership Team, reporting to the Deputy Secretary the role provides enterprise‑wide leadership to shape a high‑performing, future‑focused policy function that delivers integrated, high‑quality advice aligned to Government priorities and departmental outcomes. Operating at the centre of government, the role leads a complex, cross‑portfolio policy programme, providing intellectual and strategic leadership to ensure advice is robust, evidence‑based and responsive to a dynamic political environment.

The role also leads our crown monitoring function alongside the Chief Advisor (Fire Emergency) and appointments to many different boards. The General Manager is a trusted advisor to Ministers and senior leaders, confidently navigating complexity, managing risk, and influencing system‑level decisions that deliver meaningful outcomes for NewZealanders.

With broad accountability for organisational performance and capability, the role leads and develops senior leaders and teams to build a culture of excellence, innovation and collaboration. It also plays a key system leadership role, fostering strong partnerships across government, with iwi, Māori and all stakeholders, ensuring policy development reflects TeTiriti o Waitangi commitments and all diverse perspectives of the public.

• Strategic leadership and agility – Proven ability to set direction, lead complex policy programmes, and respond to changing government priorities with innovation and foresight.
• Strategic and political judgement – Strong experience advising Ministers and senior leaders, with the credibility to influence across government and represent the organisation at the highest levels.
• People leadership and capability building – Ability to inspire, develop and lead high‑performing teams, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Policy expertise and analytical excellence – Deep understanding of policy development, quality advice processes, and evidence‑based decision making, with strong analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• Operational and delivery leadership – Experience overseeing delivery against strategic plans, managing risk and resources effectively, and ensuring high‑quality outcomes.
• Collaborative and relationship leadership – Demonstrated success building trusted partnerships across agencies, stakeholders, and with Māori, grounded in TeTiriti principles.

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.

The appointing range for this role is $210,296 – $261,702.