Principal Advisor, Regulatory Policy (Rules Update Programme)

• Do you have extensive policy development experience and looking for your next challenge?
• Wellington- National Office Location

By joining us, you will be part of a team where meaningful work, collaboration and innovation come together to help keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure.

We are seeking an experienced Principal Advisor, Regulatory Policy to join our team on an 18 month fixed-term basis to support the Rules Update Programme.  

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a significant programme of work updating New Zealand's Civil Aviation Rules, ensuring the aviation regulatory system remains effective, efficient, and fit for the future.

At the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, we are constantly evolving to meet the demands of a changing environment and the aviation industry.

CAA is undertaking a business transformation process to better position our teams for the future by enabling us to be more collaborative, more efficient and more effective in everything we do. 

As we step confidently into our role as a modern regulator, we are embracing intelligence-led, risk-based approaches that help us make a real difference for our people and the communities we serve – with a strong value-for-money ethos. We’re also committed to enabling aviation participants to support economic growth in New Zealand's aviation sector.

About the role

The Principal Advisor, Regulatory Policy provides expert advice, quality analysis and guidance on the development and coordination of regulatory policy, rules and other related instruments, and legislative change – to support safety and security outcomes.

You will be working with Managers, Regulatory Policy and International Engagement and other Advisors to set and deliver the regulatory policy and rule development programmes, collaborating with the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), SMEs from CAA’s operational delivery groups, and the industry itself to ensure their expertise is fed into rules and policy development as early as possible.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the development of aviation safety and security regulatory policy.

• Drive the rule development work programmes.
• Lead the development and delivery of policy projects.
• Support the development of legislative proposals as required.
• Develop, maintain, and facilitate strong working relationships with delivery groups to gain SME input into regulatory policy development, and advise on policy changes as required.

This is a unique opportunity to influence how aviation rules are implemented and understood across New Zealand. Your work will directly support safer operations, clearer compliance pathways, and a more effective aviation regulatory system - during a time of major transformation.This is an 18-month fixed-term Wellington-based position.

The salary band for this position starts at $136,939 to a top step of $168,191. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

What You’ll Bring

We are seeking an individual with extensive experience in complex policy development, with a thorough understanding of the machinery of government in New Zealand. To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Extensive experience in policy and project development in a regulatory environment.
• Proactive and effective management of internal and external relationships, using influencing and persuading techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to build credibility at the most senior levels of an organisation, where your advice, guidance and leadership is actively sought and highly valued.
• Well-developed ability to critically analyse and interpret complex information and make effective, well-reasoned decisions.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to convey complex information.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring others to increase performance capability and delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and project manage complex, organisation wide, initiatives (desirable but not essential).

About Us

Our Values – Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration –represent the standards of behaviour we uphold and guide how we work at the Authority. We embrace diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment where our people feel respected, safe, and valued for their unique contributions. We recognise that our people drive our success. 

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and Cover Letter.

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: 15 October 2026