Programme Director, Plant Health and Environment Capability

INSIDE Recruitment

  • Wellington
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 19 hours ago
  • Lead New Zealand’s largest biosecurity infrastructure & transformation programme
  • Shape future-ready systems, operating models, and cultural change
  • Drive transformation to strengthen NZ’s biosecurity and protect our environment
About MPI | Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has a vision to see New Zealand become the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and primary products. Biosecurity New Zealand, a branch of MPI, is central to that mission, protecting our environment, economy, and way of life.About the Role | Kōrero mō te Tūranga
As Programme Director, you will lead the Plant Health and Environment Capability (PHEC) Programme. This is a multi-hundred-million-dollar initiative central to protecting Aotearoa’s biosecurity for generations to come.At its core, the programme will deliver a new world-class, high-biocontainment facility in Auckland. Alongside this, it will transform the Plant Health Directorate’s operating model, deliver enabling ICT systems, and embed organisational culture change, ensuring our biosecurity capability is fit for purpose, resilient, and future-ready.
  • Drive both capital build and organisational transformation, ensuring each stream progresses in step and at pace.
  • Shape the programme so it delivers not just infrastructure, but enduring change in how MPI and Biosecurity NZ work with partners and respond to risk.
  • Provide visible leadership to Ministers, senior officials, governance boards, iwi/Māori partners, and industry stakeholders, with a clear mandate to protect New Zealand’s environment and economy.
  • Lead a multidisciplinary team of programme managers, business transformation experts, and change leaders, while partnering closely with Crown Infrastructure Delivery on the construction programme.
  • Bring a strong governance lens, ensuring risk management, financial oversight, and no surprises reporting at the highest level.
This is a high-profile, defining opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on Aotearoa’s biosecurity system. The programme’s success will directly influence the protection of our primary industries, our natural environment, and the way of life of all New Zealanders.About You | Mōu
We are seeking a confident, outcomes-focused leader who can navigate complexity and bring clarity and momentum to a critical programme, inspiring confidence in delivery.The ideal candidate will bring:
  • Proven success leading major multi-year programmes, ideally combining infrastructure and transformation.
  • Governance, risk, and financial management expertise in high-stakes environments.
  • Credibility with senior leaders and Ministers, ensuring robust reporting and a no surprises approach.
  • Experience in operating model, culture, and behaviour change with multiple moving parts.
  • Strong stakeholder skills, able to partner with iwi/Māori, industry, suppliers, and agencies.
  • A background in biosecurity, science, or public sector infrastructure delivery would be advantageous.
  • Resilience, political savvy, and the ability to reset and drive delivery are critical.
Above all, we are looking for a leader who can bring people together, cut through complexity, and deliver lasting impact on a programme that matters to all New Zealanders.Ready to Make a Difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
IN SIDE Recruitment are assisting MPI with the recruitment of this role. If you are interested, please apply now and include your cover letter and CV.For a confidential discussion please contact Jeremy McLeod at IN SIDE Recruitment on jeremy@inside.co.nz.Applications close Wednesday 24th September at 2pm.Note: Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory. This role requires a Ministry of Justice criminal history check and the ability to obtain security clearance.

INSIDE Recruitment