Programme Director - Feral Browsing Animals | Wellington City

Job Description

Programme Director – Feral Browsing Animals

Role type: Fixed-term until June 2027

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: General Salary Range A: $162,094 to $189,933 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga  

Lead MPI's new national programme improving management of feral browsing animals, with a focus on their impacts on production land. This is a significant programme, and you will engage, collaborate, and influence a variety of internal and external stakeholders. You'll provide strategic direction, oversee delivery, manage budgets, and guide engagement with Ministers, statutory and sector groups, regional councils, industry, and other government agencies. 

In this role you will be:

• Leading strategy, planning, and programme delivery. 
• Managing risk, budgets, reporting, and governance needs. 
• Building senior level relationships across MPI and with external partners and stakeholders. 
• Overseeing ministerial servicing and key communications. 
• Leading programme staff and create a high performing culture.  

This is a Fixed term role until June 2027.   

About You - Mōu  

You bring senior level experience in leading large & complex programmes. You are strategic, collaborative, and at ease influencing across government and industry. You can navigate ambiguity, manage risk, and maintain trusted relationships at senior levels. 

To be successful in this role you will offer: 

• Extensive experience leading cross agency programmes.
• Strength in strategic and operational planning. 
• Proven financial, procurement, and governance capability. 
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and relationship skills. 
• The ability to deliver pragmatic solutions in complex settings. 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū  

This is a new but high-profile programme. The role sits within the Pest Management Directorate in Biosecurity New Zealand which is responsible for managing a range of national pest management programmes and related regulatory matters. The programme itself has touch points across much of MPI as well as with a wide range of external parties. 

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua  

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua  

• Additional MPI leave days 
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave 
• Annual Wellness payment 

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/about-mpi/careers/working-mpi/benefits/  

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?  
 
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.  

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.  

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce. 

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options. 

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 1 March 2026. 

If you have any questions about the role, please email james.brodey@mpi.govt.nz   

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