Senior Business Advisor Planning and Reporting | Wellington
Date: 15 Feb 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Lead and support Planning, Reporting & Risk work programme working along side the team of advisors on the delivery of end‑to‑end planning and performance reporting across Disability Support Services (DSS)
- Transform complex data into clear, actionable insights for senior leaders
- Partner with Senior leaders to align plans with organisational objectives and strategic priorities
Bring your planning and performance expertise to DSS at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
About our team | Mō te tīma:
The 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 the Senior Advisor you’ll coordinate planning cycles, develop robust reporting and analysis, and provide subject‑matter expertise that strengthens decision‑making across DSS and MSD.
Working closely with leaders, you’ll ensure plans are aligned, performance is transparent, and opportunities for improvement are identified and acted on supporting DSS ability to tell our performance story.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead initiatives to support our performance management maturity, including implementing best practice planning and reporting cycles aligned to DSS/Ministry frameworks.
- Prepare high‑quality reports, dashboards, and performance insights to inform senior leadership decision‑making.
- Strengthen governance practices that support strategic priorities and improve accountability across DSS
- Apply analytical and critical thinking to interpret complex data and trends,) providing clear recommendations for strategic and operational decisions.
- Identify and deliver process improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and impact across planning and reporting activities.
- Monitor progress against KPIs and contribute meaningful performance narratives, embedding risk considerations in planning and reporting.
- Partner across DSS and MSD to coordinate inputs and deliver cohesive, cross‑functional planning and reporting outcomes.
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:
- Deep knowledge of business planning, performance frameworks, project management and reporting methodologies
- Demonstrated experience influencing senior decision‑makers and strategic governance groups, through strategic analysis and performance insights
- Advanced skills in data analysis and visualisation (e.g., Excel, Planview, Power BI, Microsoft Teams or similar)
- Proven ability to manage complex planning cycles and coordinate cross‑functional inputs
- Excellent written communication and confident facilitation with diverse stakeholders (able to communicate complex information clearly to different audiences)
- Exceptional time management; comfortable juggling competing priorities and deadlines
- Knowledge of public sector reporting requirements and governance frameworks; knowledge of disability sector
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the postion description can be found here. Senor Business Advisor position descritpion.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,815.00 - $125,958.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 1 March 2026.
About us | Mō mātou:
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) 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:
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
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. You can find out more about our values here.
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.
