Policy Director - Employment, Skills And Immigration Policy

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Shape the agenda and work across labour market policy on employment, skills and immigration to support New Zealand's prosperity

Be a key partner to the General Manager and the wider leadership team, supporting an effective, capable and delivery-focused branch

Permanent Role | Wellington Central

Salary midpoint $241,611 p.a. including Kiwisaver

About the Branch

The purpose of the Employment, Skills and Immigration Policy branch is to provide policy advice that :

improves people's ability to participate in work and the returns they get

supports industry to grow, providing new and better opportunities for business and their workers

ensures that the systems that prepare people for work are future ready

The branch leads the stewardship of the immigration regulatory system, ensuring it operates in New Zealand's interest and maintains its integrity.

We are a fun and busy branch, committed to robust and collaborative policy advice.

We are involved in a wide set of policy issues – traversing economic and social policy, domestic and international affairs, working closely across MBIE, wider government agencies and with industry stakeholders and sectors.

Key Work Programme

Developing tools that support industry to plan for their future workforces and workforce needs

Continuous improvement of New Zealand's main temporary and resident work visa policies, getting the right balance between meeting the skills needs of the economy and improving employment opportunities for New Zealanders

A legislative work programme focused on changes to enhance compliance, enforcement and integrity settings in the Immigration Act

Policies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the immigration funding system

Regular monitoring of the performance of the labour market and the sharing of labour-market insights, including through 'deep dives' on topics such as the implications of AI for the labour market

About the Role

As Policy Director, you will partner with the General Manager and the wider branch leadership team to :

fulfil our branch purpose and deliver our complex and ambitious work programme

grow our leadership role on labour market and immigration policy

support ongoing branch capability development and culture

Skills and Experience Required

You will be a natural collaborator and intellectually curious, with significant policy leadership expertise.

As someone drawn to variety and pace, you will be a self-starter and bring proven experience in :

the ability to think and deliver strategically – using experience and judgement to shape the future policy agenda and priorities, identify work programme gaps and delivery risks

policy leadership – development, analysis and leadership of complex policy work at senior levels, providing effective and timely intervention

influence – developing and maintaining effective relationships with Ministers, senior public service officials and external stakeholders, demonstrating political nous and pragmatism

people leadership – capability development of policy teams

What You'll Get

The high level of trust and autonomy in this role will mean no two days are the same.

Your broad scope means you will develop excellent relationships and networks in our organisation and across the system.

You will have a balanced portfolio of work which leverages and grows your skills and expertise.

We are committed to supporting good work / life balance, keeping you healthy and safe, building your knowledge of te reo and tikanga Maori, and developing your leadership skills, profile and career.

About MBIE

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.

Mahi Tahi – Better Together

Maia – Bold and brave

Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future

Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Maori identity – Hikina Whakatutuki – which broadly means 'lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Maori, other Maori groups / organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Maori 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 Maori 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.

How to Apply

Click to view a position description.

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Roxana Anderson at

• quoting ref MBIE /
• if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Tuesday, 28th October

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