Principal Advisor, Regulatory Policy at Civil Aviation Authority of NZ, Wellington

The Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service offer distinctively different career opportunities and embrace diverse talent. All jobs at the Authority contribute to ensuring safe and secure skies to help New Zealand fly.

The Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory arm of our organisation and the Aviation Security Service is the nationwide provider for aviation security.

At the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, we are constantly evolving to meet the demands of a changing environment and the aviation industry.

Recent legislative changes, along with an organisational realignment, have opened exciting new opportunities across the CAA.  These changes are part of a broader effort to better position our teams for the future by enabling us to be more collaborative, efficient and effective.

As we step confidently into our role as a modern regulator, we are embracing intelligence-led, risk-based approaches that help us make a real difference for our people and the communities we serve – with a strong value-for-money ethos. We’re also committed to enabling aviation participants to support economic growth in New Zealand's aviation sector.

About the role

The Principal Advisor, Regulatory Policy provides expert advice, quality analysis and guidance on the development and coordination of regulatory policy, rules and other related instruments to support safety and security outcomes.

You will work with the Manager, Regulatory Policy and International Engagement and other Advisors to set and deliver the regulatory policy and rule development programmes, collaborating with SMEs from the operational delivery groups and Chief Advisors to ensure their expertise is fed into rules and policy development as early as possible.

You will:

• Lead the development of aviation safety and security regulatory policy.
• Drive the delivery of policy and rule development work programme.
• Support the development of legislative proposals as required.
• Provide thought leadership, and technical advice, to the leadership team and wider organisation on key regulatory policy matters, and the embedding of this across the organisations capability and delivery.
• Support the Manager, Regulatory Policy and International Engagement in building strong and collaborative relationships with stakeholders in other government agencies, other national aviation authorities, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and with the Ministry of Transport.
• Develop, maintain, and facilitate strong working relationships with delivery groups within and outside CAA to gain SME input into regulatory policy development, and advise on policy changes as required.
• Mentoring and supporting other policy advisors within the team.

Some travel may be required.

These roles are based at our National Office in Wellington; however, location flexibility may be considered for the right candidates.Travel to National Office would be expected on a regular basis (as required to meet organisational needs), at your own cost.

The salary band for this position starts at $136,939  up to $191,448. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

What You Will Bring

You will have  extensive experience in complex policy development and a thorough understanding of the machinery of government. To be successful in this role, you will have the following attributes:

• Extensive experience in policy and project development in a regulatory environment
• Proactive and effective management of internal and external relationships, using influencing and persuading techniques
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility at the most senior levels of an organisation
• Well-developed ability to critically analyse and interpret complex information and make effective, well-reasoned decisions
• Strong writing skills and the ability to convey complex information.
• Experience coaching and mentoring others 
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and project manage complex, organisation-wide, initiatives
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearence (use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Top Secret security clearance. Please note this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool)

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and Cover Letter.

For more information, please view the position description or contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@caa.govt.nz

Applications close: Sunday 25/05/2025