Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Kaitohutohu Matua | Senior Advisor

Leadership Development Centre

Workforce Group, Public Service Commission

Wellington based

Permanent

Salary Range: $107,146 to $143,313

About the role

As a Senior Advisor in the Leadership Development Centre (LDC), you will play a key role in our executive talent management work through direct engagement with executive talent and ownership of the design and implementation of talent management initiatives, resources and related support. You will also hold responsibility for defined components of LDC's wider talent management and leadership development portfolio.

This role contributes to how Te Kawa Mataaho identifies, supports and develops executive talent across the public service. It requires strong relationship management, sound judgement, developmental coaching capability, and the ability to turn strategic intent into practical, credible approaches that are well matched to context.

About you

We are looking for someone with senior advisory experience who can build credibility quickly, work confidently with senior leaders, and take end-to-end ownership of complex work. You will bring strong judgement, a practical mindset, and the ability to hold high-quality developmental conversations that challenge and support leaders well.

You will be:

• Experienced in providing trusted advice and progressing complex, sensitive work with discretion and follow-through
• Credible with senior leaders and confident building strong working relationships across agencies and the wider system
• Able to design and implement practical initiatives, resources and support that are well judged and fit for purpose
• Skilled at holding developmental conversations and helping leaders identify meaningful development options
• Comfortable working through ambiguity, balancing competing priorities, and turning strategic intent into practical delivery
• Committed to learning, inclusion, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and culturally competent practice
• Providing sound advice and practical options on executive talent matters, drawing on insight, evidence and system context
• Designing and implementing executive talent management initiatives, resources and support that are practical, credible and fit for purpose
• Managing direct engagement with executive talent, agencies and key stakeholders to deliver a responsive and high-quality experience
• Holding high-quality developmental conversations and helping leaders identify development options aligned to their context, readiness and needs
• Taking ownership of assigned portfolio areas, improving tools and ways of working, and contributing to joined-up delivery across LDC and the wider Commission

Key responsibilities include:

This role provides a unique insight into system‑wide leadership development and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the capability of the public service.

About Us

Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission leads the public sector to make a positive difference for New Zealand and New Zealanders. This position sits within the Leadership Development Centre (LDC), which is part of the Commission's Workforce Group. The LDC is the system's primary vehicle for leadership development, supporting chief executives, agencies, and leaders to grow the capability needed for effective public service leadership now and into the future.

For more information about our role and purpose, visit our website at www.publicservice.govt.nz.

We are committed to building a talented and inclusive Public Service, and we value the diverse perspectives and experiences that people bring. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

Salary

The full salary range for the band is $107,146 to $143,313. We typically look to appoint to role between $107,146 to $130,507, depending on skills and experience.

Requirements

Please note that all applicants are required to apply via jobs.govt.nz. You will need a RealMe account to apply.

If you are not a New Zealand citizen, you must hold current eligibility to work in New Zealand and for Te Kawa Mataaho. Please refer to the New Zealand Immigration Service for further information.

How to apply:

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Travis Wallach, Manager Talent Management, at travis.wallach@publicservice.govt.nz.

In your cover letter we'd like to know:

• Your values and motivations.
• Why this role interests you.
• the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and perspectives you would bring.

If you have any login issues, please contact jobsiteadministrator@dia.govt.nz immediately for support. 

Job ad open for applications on 26 May 2026.

Please submit your application by or on, 9 June 2026