Manager, Commercial and Procurement

At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don’t just keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation. 

As the industry evolves, so do we, through innovative technology, new ways of working, and a team of people who are passionate about what they do. 

Now’s the time to get on board. We’re building a forward-thinking, modern CAA, and we need people who want their work to matter. People who thrive on challenges, value collaboration, and want to make a positive impact every day. 

If you're ready to grow your career while helping keep one of New Zealand’s most vital sectors safe and secure, this is your opportunity. 

About the role

This is a fixed term opportunity till December 2026 to cover parental leave. If you’re a senior leader who thrives in complexity, builds trusted relationships with ease, and brings a modern, thoughtful approach to procurement and commercial leadership, this is a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a national level. We are open to inter-agency secondment opportunities for the right candidate.

This role also leads a small, professional team (3–4 direct reports) and sits within the Strategic Finance & Investment Group, reporting to the General Manager Finance.

You’ll work closely with leaders across the organisation and with government partners such as MBIE – to influence strategic direction, manage commercial risk, and ensure our procurement practice reflects good stewardship, sustainability, strong ethics, and public value.

You’ll be ensuring we have the right frameworks, capabilities, partnerships and operating models to support a trusted, resilient, and forward‑looking regulatory system.

The starting salary is between $160,911 - $197,441 pro rata. Starting salaries are to be based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a seasoned senior leader with:

• Experience leading procurement functions, ideally within the public service.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, with a track record of delivering strategic and operational plans and driving organisational change.
• Expertise in total‑life costing, sustainable procurement, project management and supplier management.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence across senior levels, both internally and externally.
• Political awareness, sound judgement, and the ability to operate effectively in a government context.
• A commitment to inclusive leadership that enables diverse teams to thrive.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a reputation for collaboration and integrity.

Why Join Us?

Our values — Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration — guide everything we do. We’re committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.

Ready to Apply?

If you’re ready to lead meaningful change and influence the future of aviation in New Zealand, we’d love to hear from you.

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.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

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

Applications close: 12 April 2026

Note: Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated