Deputy Secretary, Enabling Services at The Treasury, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Shape New Zealand’s Future – Join the Treasury’s Executive Leadership team.

About Us | Mō mātou

As we look ahead to 2040 – the 200th anniversary of The Treasury (Te Tai Ōhanga), we are positioning ourselves to meet the evolving opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand. Guided by our vision of lifting living standards for all New Zealanders, we have embarked on a bold programme of transformation to ensure a thriving and resilient Treasury for generations to come. 

We’re the Government’s principal economic and financial advisor and our talented people bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences to tackle New Zealand’s biggest and most inter-connected issues. Every day, they are influencing, advising, and supporting Ministers and public sector leaders.

About the Role | Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer role is critical to shaping New Zealand’s economic future, driving strategic debate, delivering system change, and building trusted relationships internally and externally across the Government, Private Sector, and Communities. 

As a key member of the Treasury’s executive leadership team, you will: 

• Shape the strategic debate across key policy areas and integrate insights across the organisation.
• Provide thought leadership internally and externally and engage extensively with the private sector and wider community.
• Deliver system-wide leadership across the public sector.
• Build trusted relationships with Ministers.
• Drive organisational change, foster organisational performance, capability, and engagement, and continuously enhance the Treasury’s ability to tackle New Zealand’s fiscal and economic challenges.

You’ll provide enterprise‑wide leadership, setting a clear vision for how the Treasury is supported to perform at its best. This role calls for a decisive, people‑centred leader who can build high‑performing teams, strengthen organisational capability, and drive continuous improvement across systems, governance, technology and workplaces. Partnering closely with business leaders, Ministers and stakeholders, the role will bring calm, strategic leadership to planning, performance and risk management, while championing collaboration and accountability across shared services to deliver better outcomes for government.

About You | Ō pūmanawa

We’re looking for an experienced senior leader who brings: 

• A proven record of developing and delivering complex public policy and leading transformative organisational and system change.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, backed by credibility working with senior officials in Government, the private sector, and the community.
• Strong strategic, economic, and financial skills, coupled with a deep understanding of public sector systems and/or commercial performance.
• A demonstrated commitment to inclusion and a collaborative leadership style that fosters innovation, a culture of high performance, capability, and engagement.
• A postgraduate qualification and proven experience in economics, finance, public administration, or a related field.

What we Offer | Ko ngā hua

We offer you the unique chance to be at the forefront of shaping solutions to make New Zealand a better place today and in the future. As a system leader, you’ll get to influence policy and collaborate across the wider public sector and get to partner with a range of Ministers, Public and Private Sector leaders and the Community.

This role offers an unparalleled chance to make a lasting impact on New Zealand through transformative leadership and public service.

Apply Now to shape your, and New Zealand’s, tomorrow. | Tono mai ināianei

Apply online. Applications close 12pm Thursday 28 May 2026, however we will review applications as they come in and may begin interviewing during the advertising period. 

For more information, please contact talent@treasury.govt.nz

Kia Pono (Making a Difference) | Kia Whakamana (Enhancing Mana) | Kia Hono (Achieving Together)