Principal Portfolio Management Advisor

• Lead enterprise investment success that delivers lasting outcomes for New Zealand.

• Salary between $110,033 - $139,400 depending on skills and experience.

• Permanent role, strong preference for Wellington location.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We are looking for an experienced Principal Portfolio Management Advisor to provide enterprise leadership across portfolio, programme and investment management. As one of two senior specialists, you will influence strategic decision-making, strengthen investment performance, and ensure DOC delivers value from its most significant investments.

Working within the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), you will provide expert advice, delivery assurance and capability leadership across complex projects and programmes. Partnering with senior leaders, sponsors, governance groups, delivery teams and external agencies, you will help drive successful investment outcomes across the Department.

Key responsibilities;

• Provide enterprise-wide leadership and expert advice on portfolio, programme and investment management, including high-risk, high-value and strategically significant investments.

• Provide strategic assurance and executive-level insight on investment performance, benefits delivery, risks and value realisation.

• Design and lead quality assurance activities, including project and programme reviews, assurance frameworks and lessons learned processes.

• Lead the development of portfolio prioritisation, strategic alignment and investment management frameworks aligned with Treasury and government requirements.

• Partner with project and programme teams across the full delivery lifecycle, providing guidance, intervention and recovery support where required.

• Coach and develop sponsors, Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), project and programme managers to strengthen organisational delivery capability.

• Co-lead DOC's Benefits Management Framework, driving benefits planning, measurement and realisation across the investment portfolio.

• Identify delivery risks and improvement opportunities, providing practical recommendations that strengthen project, programme and portfolio outcomes.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You are an experienced portfolio and programme professional who can influence at all levels of the organisation. You will be a trusted advisor, combining strategic insight with practical delivery expertise to navigate complexity, drive investment outcomes, and build organisational capability.

We are keen to hear from you, if you have;

• 10+ years' experience delivering complex projects and programmes across business transformation, digital and infrastructure environments.

• Significant experience working within an Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) or similar portfolio management environment.

• Strong expertise in portfolio management, investment planning, benefits management and delivery assurance.

• Proven experience supporting or leading project recovery and complex change initiatives.

• Qualifications in recognised methodologies such as PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent.

• Strong understanding of Better Business Cases, Gateway reviews and Treasury investment management processes.

• Advanced analytical, risk management and decision-support capability.

• Outstanding relationship management, communication and influencing skills.

• Experience coaching, mentoring and developing delivery capability across organisations.

Desirable;

• An appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its relevance within the public sector.

• Understanding of te ao Māori, tikanga Māori and the Māori-Crown relationship.

• A commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement and organisational excellence.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

Want to know more?

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We’re unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.

Salary: $110,033 - $139,400, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role. 

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday, 24 August 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Aleena Antony, Senior Recruitment Advisor at [email protected].