Principal Business Advisor

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert: Partner with senior leaders to drive planning, risk management, continuous improvement and delivery excellence Play a key role in protecting the integrity of New Zealand's immigration system Wellington based permanent position Salary $118,390 - $143,639 + Kiwisaver + Wellness Benefit Are you an experienced strategic advisor who can provide high-quality advice, coordination and delivery support directly to a senior leader in a complex operational and regulatory environment? We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Advisor to the General Manager, Immigration Compliance and Investigations (ICI). Working closely with the General Manager and ICI leadership team, you will provide trusted strategic advice, coordination and delivery support to help drive organisational priorities and ensure effective business performance across a complex operational and regulatory environment. You will play a key role in connecting strategy with delivery, supporting business planning, performance reporting, governance, financial oversight, workforce planning, risk management and continuous improvement. You will also lead or contribute to priority projects, briefings, executive correspondence and business cases, while building strong relationships across MBIE, Immigration New Zealand and external stakeholders to support joined-up decision-making and successful outcomes. Immigration Compliance and Investigations plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of New Zealand's immigration system by detecting, deterring and responding to non-compliance, supporting lawful employment, and contributing to a fair and credible immigration system. Skills and Experience Required Significant experience providing strategic advice and delivery support to senior leaders in a complex public sector, regulatory or operational environment. Proven ability to lead and coordinate complex work programmes, projects, business planning, reporting or governance processes across organisational boundaries. Strong strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to understand operational, policy, legal, financial, workforce, risk and performance issues and translate them into clear advice. Experience supporting high-level business management functions, such as planning, finance, performance, workforce, risk, assurance, governance or organisational improvement. Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including the ability to work confidently with senior leaders and build credibility across a range of internal and external relationships. Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, maintain confidentiality and provide trusted advice on sensitive or high-profile matters. Resilience, adaptability and initiative, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality products at pace. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality briefings, reports, correspondence and executive material. Knowledge of machinery of government, public sector accountability settings, regulatory systems or immigration compliance would be advantageous. Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand. Consent to and satisfactorily complete a credit check. Be able to obtain and maintain Police Vetting. MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders. We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable. People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours. Māia– Bold and brave Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'. MBIE recognises the partnership founded under TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities. Applications close on Wednesday 19 August 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr