Principal Adviser, Payments at NZ Commerce Commission, Wellington or Auckland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

We are looking for a Principal Adviser for our Payments team. This is a permanent, full-time position based in either our Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) or Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) offices.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of retail payments in New Zealand. You will work in a dynamic environment where your contributions will have a significant impact. We value innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

As a Principal Adviser, you will provide both technical and thought leadership on operational and strategic topics that support the delivery and prioritisation of our payments work. You will also support the broader Market Regulation branch as a thought leader. This is a key senior technical role that will see you lead key pieces of work, provide well-informed expert technical advice, contribute to strategy development, and mentor team members.

The role requires a system-wide perspective with these activities stretching across our performance monitoring, advocacy and engagement, rule-setting and compliance activities – in addition to related work in other parts of the Commission and other financial regulators.

You'll be at the heart of our work to improve the efficiency of our current payment system, while looking to promote an environment where businesses and consumers can benefit from greater competition and innovation.

The indicative salary range for this role is $159,951 - $188,178 plus 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects their individual skills, experience, and internal relativities across the organisation.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You will be experienced working in a fast-paced programme and project environment, you'll be proactive and solutions-focused and be able to think, write and communicate clearly. You will be able to see the bigger picture and are excited about moving between developing strategy as well as rolling your sleeves up to get the work done. You enjoy building trusted relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, and the opportunity to influence at a senior level. You understand what it takes to implement legislation, including establishing regulatory processes.

You work collaboratively, have a clear communication style, and take pride in providing quality mentorship. Ideally you will bring a track record of delivering results and the ability to navigate a legal, economic and commercial environment.

We are looking for people with a mix of skills and experience, including:

• Being passionate about payments
• Expert understanding of economic regulation
• Understanding what it takes to be a regulator
• Conceptual thinking and problem solving
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Demonstrated experience working in projects
• Ability to focus on both strategically important outcomes and important detail
• Ability to engage confidently with senior management and Commissioners, and senior level representatives of industry parties

Read more about the skills, experience and knowledge required for this position in the position descriptions. If you are applying via SEEK, by clicking Apply Now you will be redirected to our careers page where you can access our position description.

Te wāhi mahi | Working here

We're friendly and collaborative and enjoy contributing to our shared vision of making New Zealanders better off and are committed to our people's wellbeing. Our flexible working options are key to supporting that goal and our people have the technology they need to make it happen. Our environment is inclusive, and our people know they are free to be their authentic selves at work and structure the way they work to suit their lifestyle.

Click here to find out more about benefits and life here at Te Komihana Tauhokohoko | The Commerce Commission.

Ka pēhea te tono mai | How to apply

If you want to contribute to our vision to make New Zealanders better off, please click 'Apply for this job' below. You will need to complete an online application form and upload your CV and Cover Letter outlining your motivation for applying for this role and the skills and experience you bring.

For any queries contact Lisa Weimann on 04 472 2038. Closing date for applications is Sunday, 27 April 2025.

Studies have shown that women and people from under-represented backgrounds are less likely to apply for roles where they don't match the job description criteria exactly. If you're excited about this role and think you have what it takes, but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply.

Our recruitment process is fair, inclusive and free from bias and we encourage our applicants to let us know if we can make it more user friendly for them.  We are an equal opportunity employer.  We value diverse perspectives and the contribution every one of our people makes to our culture.  Put simply – you can be yourself here.