Policy Manager Regulatory Review

• Are you an experienced policy professional looking to take your career to the next level?
• Do you want to play an important role in the protection of New Zealand's borders
• Permanent full-time role with options to work flexibly from home

We are now welcoming applications for a Policy Manager to join the diverse Customs Policy and Strategy Group. This role is a full-time permanent position based in the Wellington Customhouse.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

The Policy Manager Regulatory Review leads a policy team responsible for reviewing all legislative instruments that are administered by Customs to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and reflect modern legislative design. To do this, you will provide intellectual leadership, strategic direction and focus, as well as strong people management to a diverse and talented team.

You will oversee the development of policy initiatives to ensure Customs' legislation and policy settings are consistent with, and deliver on, the Government's policy objectives. You will contribute to policy initiatives within the Customs' Policy and Strategy Group through providing high quality regulatory policy advice. You will be comfortable preparing briefings and advice for Government Ministers and senior officials and will have a key role in working with our border partners to ensure that we have strong sector approaches to the issues we all face.

A significant dimension of this Policy Manager role is being a full member of the Policy and Strategy Leadership Team, responsible for the overall health, performance and organisational development of the Policy and Strategy group, as well as the performance of your policy team.

About you | Ko wai koe

To be successful as a Policy Manager, the appointee requires the following knowledge, experience, skills and personal attributes:

We are looking for an experienced leader with a strong policy background who has:

• Experience in leading policy development at a senior level, and able to confidently operate with senior executives and Ministers.
• Proven leadership skills, including demonstrated ability to engage and motivate staff.
• Strong problem solving and decision-making capability.
• Comprehensive understanding of the government legislation and policy process within Government.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of the conventions, structure and functions of Government.
• Strong intellectual leadership capabilities, including the ability to lead teams and develop both high quality regulatory and strategic policy advice drawing upon a range of policy frameworks and analytical methods.
• Sound understanding of the processes that underpin the operations of the public sector environment, including policy development, Cabinet and Parliamentary processes.

Working at Customs I Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa

Our people get on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership programmes, and the chance to move across diverse roles. We foster an inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and cultural groups. We also support flexible working - talk to us about how we can help you achieve your flexible working goals, within our operational requirements. Our people get discounted health insurance, free on-site gyms (in some locations) and three days of service holidays in addition to four weeks of annual leave.

How to apply I Me pehea te whakauru

To join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or NZ permanent resident. *

• This means:

• a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at time of application; OR
• a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at the time of application. You may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or more months within the past five years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA. You will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.

You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level. Due to the nature of Customs work, you must have a clear Police record. The successful applicant will also be required to pass a drug test prior to an offer being made, as well as being subject to random, ongoing drug tests during their period of employment with Customs. (These requirements apply to all successful applicants for roles at Customs and Customs employees).

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your skills and experience, via our online process. If you have any role related questions, please contact Kathryn MacIver (Group Manager Policy and Strategy) at kathryn.maciver@customs.govt.nz or Suzanne Leahy (Senior Recruitment Advisor) at suzanne.leahy@customs.govt.nz.

Applications close at 11pm, Wednesday 28 May 2025.

Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also offer flexible working arrangements.

Job details