Manager Risk Management | Wellington City

Job Description

Job title: Manager Risk Management

Role type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: GSR B $138,938 to $178,986 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

As a Manager in the Risk and Assurance function, you will lead a team that helps MPI identify, report, and mitigate strategic organisational risks. You will strengthen MPI's risk management framework by advising on the adequacy and effectiveness of controls across systems, governance, and performance.

This role is a key connector between business units and senior leadership. You will facilitate risk discussions, provide insights and foresight, and ensure SLT and DDGs have a clear, consistent view of organisational risk. Strong experience facilitating senior-level risk workshops is essential.

Success in this role requires excellent communication skills, confidence engaging senior stakeholders, and the ability to think strategically and challenge constructively. People leadership experience is required, along with experience navigating strategic risk and control environments.

Note: this role does not manage health and safety risk.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and embed our vision of Assure, Advise, Anticipate in risk management.
• Strengthen MPI's approach to enterprise risk and support development of the risk framework.
• Present organisational risks, trends, and mitigation strategies to SLT and the Risk & Audit Committee.

About You - Mōu

You will bring a depth of experience in identifying and managing risk in a large, complex organisation, along with strong insight into risk and control environments. You'll be confident facilitating conversations with senior leaders, providing strategic advice, and presenting complex information with clarity and impact. A certified risk qualification is desirable, and private sector experience is welcomed.

You will thrive in a role that requires substance, sound judgement, and the ability to engage credibly on strategic risks across a multi‑faceted organisation. This is not a health and safety or operational role and is best suited to an experienced manager-level professional who brings maturity, resilience, and the ability to influence at pace.

In addition, you will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification.
• Demonstrated experience in risk management and risk identification.
• Ability to confidently present to SLT and run workshops for senior leaders.
• Knowledge and practical experience of strategic and business planning processes.
• A strong track record building relationships and advice across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proven ability to analyse technical issues and make informed decisions with financial impact.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

This role sits within the Corporate Services business unit and reports to the Director Audit, Risk & Evaluation. The team plays a central role in building and embedding a strong risk management culture across MPI. The Risk Management team comprises of this role and four Senior Advisers, with one position currently vacant. The team works collaboratively, values thoughtful analysis, and supports each other to deliver high quality strategic risk advice across a diverse and complex organisation.

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.

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

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Credit check - Tirotiro nama

Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

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 11.59pm 9 February 2026  

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

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