Principal Advisor, Workplace Development

Take the lead on property and workplace strategy, ensuring spaces are smart, sustainable, and people focused.

• Permanent role | Christchurch or Queenstown preferred (other locations considered)

About the Role

You will be the strategic lead for property and workplace planning, overseeing leasing arrangements and working closely with landlords and the Government Property Office to ensure decisions align with government property guidelines, value-for-money principles, and CAA’s operational needs. Taking a whole-of-portfolio view, you will ensure workplaces are fit for purpose now and adaptable for the future.

As the Principal Advisor in the Workplace team, you will also provide system-wide leadership across workplace planning, operational development, and support services, shaping workplace initiatives and guiding dynamic programmes and projects to support staff wellbeing, organisational performance, and key government priorities, including sustainability, equity, and inclusion.

Ideally, you will be based in Christchurch or Queenstown, though other locations may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The salary band starts at $136,939 to $168,191 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 Do

You’ll work at a strategic level, partnering with internal leaders, landlords, and government stakeholders to ensure our workplaces are future-focused, operationally effective, and aligned with best practice and government expectations. As a trusted member of the Workplace team, you’ll help set direction and influence investment decisions.

Key to succeeding in this role is your ability to show:

• Strategic thinking by overseeing CAA’s property and leasing portfolio, including negotiations, renewals, and ongoing management.
• Relationship management skills to build and maintain strong partnerships with landlords, property partners, and government stakeholders for successful outcomes.
• Analytical capability to advise on property strategy, workplace planning, and investment decisions using data and market insights.
• Programme leadership by ensuring workplace and property initiatives are well planned and aligned with organisational priorities.
• Commitment to innovation through driving continuous improvement in workplace design, utilisation, sustainability, and future ways of working.
• Commercial acumen to manage key contracts and vendors and deliver value for money.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• Proven experience in property and leasing management, including negotiation and renewal of leases.
• Experience working in government or familiarity with Government Property Office (GPO) guidelines.
• Knowledge of office space planning and workplace operations.
• Experience in aviation or airport environments is desirable.
• Strategic, collaborative, and results-focused, with experience operating at a principal level (5+ years).
• Relevant qualifications or licences in property, facilities management, or related disciplines.

About us

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. We are building a forward-thinking, modern CAA and are looking for people who want their work to matter, thrive on challenge, 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.

Ready to make a real impact:

Apply online with your CV and a cover letter telling us why you're the right fit – we’d love to hear from you. If you have any accessibility needs, let us know how we can support you through the process.

For more info, check out the position description or contact our Recruitment team at recruitment@caa.govt.nz.

Please apply via our Careers site. We are unable to consider email applications.

Applications close: Tuesday 20th Jan 2026