Principal Advisor, Regulatory Policy

• Do you have extensive regulatory policy development experience and are looking for your next challenge?
• We have two full time, permanent roles available in a supportive and high-performing team with a diverse and interesting work programme.
• 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.

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

Recent legislative changes, along with an organisational realignment, have opened exciting new opportunities across the CAA.  These changes are part of a broader effort to better position our teams for the future by enabling us to be more collaborative, efficient and 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 to support safety and security outcomes.

The Principal Advisor works with the Manager, Regulatory Policy and International Engagement and other Advisors to set and deliver the regulatory policy and rule development programmes, collaborating with SMEs from the operational delivery groups and Chief Advisors 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 delivery of policy and rule development work programme.
• Support the development of legislative proposals as required.
• Provide thought leadership, and technical advice, to the leadership team and wider organisation on key regulatory policy matters, and the embedding of this across the organisations capability and delivery.
• Support the Manager, Regulatory Policy and International Engagement in building strong and collaborative relationships with stakeholders in other government agencies, other national aviation authorities, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and with the Ministry of Transport.
• Develop, maintain, and facilitate strong working relationships with delivery groups within and outside CAA to gain SME input into regulatory policy development, and advise on policy changes as required.
• Mentoring and supporting other policy advisors within the team.

Some national and international travel may be required.

These roles are based at our National Office in Wellington; however, location flexibility may be considered for the right candidates. If you are based outside of Wellington, then travel to National Office would be expected on a regular basis (usually monthly or as required to meet organisational needs), at your own cost.

The salary band for this position starts at $136, 939 to a maximum of $191,448. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

What You Will Bring

You will have  extensive experience in complex policy development and a thorough understanding of the machinery of government. To be successful in this role, you will have the following attributes:

Essential

• 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearence (use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Top Secret security clearance. Please note this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool)

Desirable

• Experience coaching and mentoring others to increase performance capability and delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and project manage complex, organisation-wide, initiatives.

About Us

Our Values – Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration –represent the standards of behaviour we uphold and guide how we work at the CAA. 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 supportwe can provide to ensure the recruitment process is 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: Sunday 25 May 2025