
Policy Manager – Fixed Term Position
- Wellington
- $140,000-190,000 per year
- Contract
- Full-time
- Lead a central policy function that drives meaningful impact
- Manage a policy work programme with important strategic priorities
- Demonstrate your senior policy leadership skills in a collaborative environment
We're looking for an experienced Policy Manager to lead a high-performing team delivering strategic, high-quality policy advice at the heart of government. This is an exciting opportunity to shape long-term outcomes, lead meaningful work, and grow policy capability in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.About the role
As a Policy Manager, you will:
- Lead a skilled team responsible for developing and delivering high-impact policy advice to senior leaders and Ministers.
- Drive the delivery of a complex, forward-looking policy work programme.
- Coach and mentor policy staff, lifting capability and performance across the team.
- Work in a matrixed environment where you'll lead home teams and project-based teams to deliver on organisational priorities.
- Provide strategic oversight and ensure timely, well-communicated, and actionable policy outputs.
- Build strong relationships across government and manage key stakeholder and Ministerial engagement.
To succeed in this role, you will bring:
- Proven experience managing policy teams in a public sector environment.
- A deep understanding of public policy development, including commissioning and quality assurance.
- Excellent writing skills, particularly experience drafting advice for Ministers.
- Strong people leadership skills, you'll know how to get the best out of individuals and teams.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage risks, and navigate complex policy issues.
- A strong grasp of the machinery of government and current policy challenges.
- A relevant tertiary qualification.
- Influence policy that has long-term impact
- Lead meaningful and challenging work
- Work with a highly capable and collaborative leadership team
Contact Cindy Barthel at cindy.barthel@madison.co.nz for more information or a confidential discussion.