Kaiwhakahaere | Manager - System Enablement

Full job description
Collaborative team environment
Support flexible working to support your work-life balance
Permanent role
The Partnerships, Investment & Enablement Group within MfE have a stewardship role in translating policy into action on the ground. Our key focus is on working with key partners and stakeholders, including Maori/Iwi, local government and industry to identify outcomes, and bring together diversity of thinking coupled with different perspectives to find solutions.

The Ministry has undergone significant transformation recently, with a new structure and operating model to support a more integrated, agile way of working. This role would sit within the System Enablement and Oversight business unit. The purpose of our unit is to collaborate with Councils and stakeholders to build capability, drive effective implementation, and uphold the credibility of the environmental management system.

Mo tenei turanga mahi | About this role

This team's focus is to support implementation of reforms by others. It ensures policy outcomes expressed through regulatory or legislative change are implemented effectively through providing direction to councils and Treaty partners. Its primary focus is on the resource management system (including RM reform) but is set up to bring in other work overtime. The team will also support legislative and regulatory (national direction) changes, providing practical advice on implementation considerations early in the policy development process.

The Manager will work closely with other managers across MfE and externally to identify upcoming changes to legislation and regulation so that the transition from policy concept to on-the-ground implementation is effectively managed.

They will make decisions on the allocation of individuals in the team to key priority work, and be responsible for the delivery of guidance, training and capability and capacity initiatives targeted at helping participants in the system understand and be enabled (where possible) to act in accordance with policy direction. They will be an advocate for continuous improvement - reflecting on what has worked and what hasn't and how we get better at supporting others in the system.

They will be an effective relationship manager, expected to work closely with councils, treaty partner and others who have key roles in achieving policy outcomes. They will connect internally to a variety of different areas in MfE.

Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience

Experience in management and leadership roles in central government and local government that required strategic thinking and operational execution.
Practical experience working with legislative or regulatory frameworks-ideally gained in a council or regulatory agency setting-is highly valued. A background in planning, legal, or regulatory compliance will be a strong advantage.
Engage early in policy development to advise on implementation considerations and provide input on regulatory and legislative changes, with a focus on practical application.
Pragmatic and solutions focused, with an outcomes approach to working with delivery partners.
Able to work with councils to identify and remedy issues to get progress back on track to meet outcomes. Strong problem-solving skills.
Advise on initiatives to accelerate system readiness and uptake (e.g., decision-making processes, training, guidance)
Skilled at forming and maintaining relationships - both external and internal - including with councils, Treaty partners, policy, legal and science tams.
Experience in delivery of briefings and cabinet papers, exercising political nous and providing solutions to achieve policy goals through councils.
Ability to lead the creation of systems and processes that support a consistent approach to providing guidance on legislative or regulatory change
A willingness to adopt continuous improvement (i.e reflect on what has worked, what hasn't and what the lessons are in a constructive way) and take on the ideas of others.
Whanuitanga Utu a-Tau | Salary range

Salary range for this role is $164,276 to $199,444 pa. Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.

Nga hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE

a flexible working approach to embrace a healthy work-life blend
agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as `One MfE'
active employee networks including Maori Ropu, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network
opportunities for development and education.
Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.

Tono inaianei | Apply now

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter. Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.

If you require further information about this position please contact ilana.miller@mfe.govt.nz. The position description is available via our careers centre www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs.

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home. As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business. We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you. Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.

Ra Katinga | Applications close: Tuesday 22nd July 2025

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