Principal Business Architect

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The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand is seeking a Principal Business Architect for a one-year fixed-term, full-time, onsite role in Wellington to lead the design of the future operating model as part of a major transformation programme. You will translate strategy into enterprise design, shape investment decisions and roadmaps, and provide authoritative guidance to executives while aligning capabilities across business, processes, data, technology and workforce. The salary band is $230,231 to $261,778. To apply, tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight large scale operating model design and proven transformation outcomes, and apply early before 9 August 2026; accessibility support is available via [email protected].

At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don’t just keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation.

• Lead the design of CAA’s future operating model and help shape one of the organisation’s most significant transformation programmes.
• Influence executive decision-making and drive the integration of business, process, data, technology, and workforce capability across the enterprise.
• Play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable change that will strengthen CAA’s contribution to New Zealand’s aviation sector.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Business Architect to join our Business Transformation Programme on a fixed-term basis.

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for defining and guiding the future operating model of the Civil Aviation Authority. Working closely with Executive Leadership Team members, programme leadership, senior stakeholders, and delivery teams, you'll ensure transformation initiatives are connected, coherent, and aligned to long-term organisational and regulatory outcomes.

As a trusted advisor, you'll translate strategy into enterprise-wide design direction, helping shape investment decisions, programme priorities, operating models, and transformation roadmaps. You'll provide the architectural leadership needed to ensure change is integrated across business capabilities, processes, workforce, information, data, applications, and technology.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of both the organisation and the services it provides to New Zealand’s aviation sector.

About the Business Transformation Programme

This is your opportunity to get in at the start.

We are building a team to deliver a significant transformation that will shape the future of the organisation and the aviation sector. With strong executive support and a clear mandate for change, this is an opportunity to work on genuine transformation — not simply improve existing processes or deliver business as usual.

These roles are initially offered on a one-year fixed-term basis while the business case progresses through approval. We recognise that means taking a degree of risk. But for the right person, it is also a chance to get involved at the point where the programme is being shaped, make a meaningful contribution and work on a transformation that is genuinely important.

If you are motivated by complex change and want to help build something significant, this is the time to get involved.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and maintenance of CAA’s target operating model and business architecture.
• Translate organisational strategy into enterprise design direction, transformation roadmaps, and decision-making frameworks.
• Provide authoritative business architecture advice to executive leaders, programme governance groups, and senior stakeholders.
• Ensure transformation initiatives align to a coherent enterprise-wide transformation pathway, including sequencing, dependencies, and cumulative impacts.
• Guide investment prioritisation and decision-making to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and target architecture.
• Lead the development of enterprise capability strategies across business, operating model, and digital domains.
• Establish and maintain governance frameworks, principles, standards, and design practices that support successful transformation delivery.
• Identify and resolve cross-programme design conflicts, competing priorities, and trade-offs.
• Ensure operating model design supports organisational capability, regulatory effectiveness, and positive outcomes for the aviation sector.
• Build trusted relationships with leaders and stakeholders to drive alignment, influence decisions, and secure buy-in across the programme.
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The salary band for this role is $230,231 - $261,778. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

For more information on the role please view the position description.

What You'll Bring

If you're a strategic thinker with a passion for organisational transformation and enterprise design, this is an opportunity to shape the future of an organisation delivering services critical to New Zealand’s aviation system.

To succeed in this role you'll demonstrate:

• Extensive experience developing and implementing operating models within large-scale transformation programmes.
• Proven ability to influence executive-level decision-making, including investment, prioritisation, and enterprise design decisions.
• Demonstrated experience shaping target operating models and enterprise architecture across business and technology domains.
• Strong understanding of enterprise transformation, business architecture, and organisational change.
• Experience working across complex stakeholder environments, including senior leaders, technical specialists, and external partners.
• Deep understanding of the interdependencies between business processes, workforce capability, data, technology, and service delivery.
• Experience establishing governance frameworks, prioritisation approaches, and transformation roadmaps.
• A strong track record of resolving competing priorities and balancing strategic objectives with practical delivery constraints.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF and the ability to apply them pragmatically.
• Exceptional communication, relationship management, influencing, and leadership skills.

About Us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values — Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration — guide everything we do. We’re committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and valued. Our people are central to our success.

Why Join Us?

• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

Ready to Apply?

If you're passionate about enterprise transformation, operating model design, and influencing strategic outcomes at an organisational level, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight your experience leading business architecture, operating model design, or enterprise transformation initiatives, and explain how your skills align with the requirements of this role.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, contact the Recruitment team at [email protected].

Applications close: 9 August 2026

Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.