Principal Advisor Commercial
Date: 25 Sept 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Strategic leadership across the procurement and commercial team in DSS
- High-value contract negotiation, risk management, and problem solving across a range of commercial initiatives
- Build capability and influence across the Commissioning & Funding team
This is your opportunity to lead across high-value contract negotiations, develop robust commercial frameworks, and build capability across the DSS and the disability system.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whānau.
We’re building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively.
We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we’re committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.
It’s an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities.
We’re looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
As Principal Advisor Commercial, you’ll provide authoritative advice and leadership in the development, negotiation, and management of complex commercial arrangements.
You’ll act as the organisation’s lead negotiator on high-value and high-risk contracts, support procurement strategy development, and build commercial capability across the Commissioning & Funding team.
Key responsibilities include:
- Provide strategic leadership and expert advice on commercial arrangements across DSS
- Lead negotiation of complex, high-value, and high-risk contracts
- Develop and implement commercial frameworks and negotiation strategies
- Mentor and build commercial capability across Commissioning
- Collaborate with procurement, legal, and business teams to align strategies
- Oversee commercial risk identification and mitigation
- Resolve disputes and contract variations as the escalation point
- Monitor changes in law and market practice to ensure compliance
- Prepare reports and recommendations for senior leadership
We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whānau, or the disability community.
Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
- Proven experience in a commercial or procurement environment
- Strong knowledge of commissioning and commercial law, ideally within the NZ public sector or similar
- Proven expertise in contract negotiation and managing complex commercial arrangements
- Advanced understanding of negotiation strategies, risk allocation, and commercial frameworks
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risks and develop mitigation strategies
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience engaging at senior executive and board levels
- Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, government procurement rules, and industry best practice
- Previous experience mentoring and developing commercial and procurement professionals
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and the ability to assess risks and opportunities
- Proven influencing and relationship-building skills, with a focus on collaboration and impact
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Principal Advisor Commercial position description
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Thursday 9 October 2025.
About us | Mō mātou:
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono:
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Joining us | Ko te hono mai:
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.
We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
