Senior Advisor, Planning and Support

• Full time, permanent | Salary: $115,536 - $141,751

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

Our wider Aviation Safety Oversight Group are responsible for regulatory oversight of organisations, aircraft, aircraft products, individuals, airspace, aerodromes and aviation-related infrastructure. 

This role sits in a team that focuses on advice, triage, and planning.  Our team manages work allocation, planning and provide technical advice and guidance to the business. 

In this role, you will be engaging with stakeholders, making strong personal connections across the business to enable the development of smart efficient processes for our participants.  You’ll work collaboratively with your team delivering thought leadership and practical, high-quality advice. You’ll also drive resource and capability planning to ensure alignment with strategic priorities, while contributing to continuous improvement across systems and processes. 

Acting as a key liaison, you'll support the Manager in leading planning processes, shaping group direction, and aligning priorities—particularly in areas requiring inspector input.  You’ll also support complex correspondence handling, and coach team members to build capability and foster a high-performing, quality-focused culture. 

The salary band for the Senior Advisor, Planning and Support starts at $115,536 to a maximum of $141,751. Starting salaries are be based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

What we're looking for

Analytical thinkers comfortable with engagement, open to change with a growth mindset.  We're a high performing team on a journey with big ideas, so you’ll be joining a team where collaboration is the key to collective success.  Does that sound like you?

You’ll be and advisor, a coach, a connector, someone who can bring an understanding of process development and how to bring consistency and efficiency to processes. 

Your background might be in strategic planning, quality assurance, business analysis, workforce allocation, triage,  or project management within a regulatory or operational environment.

You should also bring:

• Experience in triage, workflow planning, and prioritisation frameworks
• Strong project and resource management capabilities
• Expertise in quality assurance and embedding best practice
• Experience improving policies, systems, and procedures
• Confidence in providing senior-level advice on complex or sensitive matters
• A collaborative approach and excellent relationship management skills
• Demonstrated ability to coach and build team capability

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 submitting your CV and Cover Letter. Please note that your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so highlight how your experience aligns with the key skills required for this role.

We are committed to ensuring accessibility throughout the recruitment process. If there is any support, we can provide to ensure the process is equitable and accessible for you, please let us know.

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

Applications close: Sunday 2 November 2025.