Senior Project Manager

Job title: Senior Project Manager

Role type: Fixed term ending 30 June 2029

Location: Wellington CBD

Salary band & range: General Salary Range C - $119,376 to $139,700 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Biosecurity New Zealand is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the development of the Wilding Conifer National Pest Management Plan (NPMP). This role sits within the Pest Management Programmes Group, which leads high-profile national programmes to protect New Zealand's environment, economy, and way of life from established pests and diseases.

You will lead the programme of work to develop the NPMP for wilding conifers, and will have the direct support of a Senior Adviser. You'll work collaboratively across the existing Wilding Conifer Control Programme Team and other teams in the Pest Management Directorate. The work will include the rationale and objectives, costs, funding, and management agency options. This will require significant engagement and supporting analysis to be undertaken, including an updated cost benefit analysis, an assessment of the allocation of costs, and levy funding options.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development and implementation of the National Pest Management Plan for wilding conifers
• Developing the NPMP proposal which will include the rationale and objectives, costs, funding, and management agency options.
• Producing an updated cost benefit analysis, an assessment of the allocation of costs, and levy funding options.
• Leading Consultation on the proposal, to be undertaken in accordance with the Biosecurity Act requirements and submitted to the Minister before going to Cabinet for consideration.
• Producing a draft NPMP and processes for implementation. These will need to be integrated with existing programme operational activity.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with partner organisations and stakeholders.
• Responding to public inquiries and drafting Ministerial advice and correspondence.
• Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all products, activities and processes are fit for purpose and support partnership approaches.

About You - Mōu

You'll bring strong judgement, strategic thinking, and proven project management skills. You'll be a confident communicator and relationship builder, with experience navigating complex stakeholder environments. You'll be comfortable leading planning of this project and contributing to national priorities.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Experience with development of projects in a regulatory environment
• Proven experience in project or programme delivery, including monitoring, reporting, and risk management (e.g. Agile/PRINCE2)
• Experience working in a New Zealand Government agency (central, regional or other).
• Strong planning and coordination skills.
• Excellent relationship management skills, with experience working across central and local government, iwi, industry, and community groups.
• Strategic thinking and judgement, with the ability to prioritise and plan work.
• Strong communication skills – written and verbal – with the ability to influence and collaborate.
• A tertiary qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline.

About the Team -

Mō tō mātou Rōpū

You'll be based in Wellington and join a passionate and engaged team which is distributed across across Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington and Auckland. The team works closely with regional councils, DOC, industry bodies, landowners, community trusts, and other government teams to deliver effective pest management outcomes. We collaborate regularly, travel to field sites, and contribute to strategic planning and ministerial decision-making.

About MPI - Mō Te Manatū Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 28 June 2026.

If you have any questions about the role, please email [email protected]

Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā t ū hononga ki MPI i konei

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X