Senior Advisor, Governance and Secretariat

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Senior Advisor, Governance and Secretariat at the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand is a board level role that blends strategic governance with practical secretariat support. You will advise the Board and ELT, prepare governance papers, coordinate secretariat services, and strengthen frameworks underpinning accountability and strategic direction. The ideal candidate has governance and secretariat experience, solid public sector understanding, excellent written communication, and strong stakeholder relationships with sound judgement handling sensitive matters. Salary ranges from $115,536 to $141,751, with onsite work in Wellington. Apply online with a CV and a tailored cover letter that demonstrates alignment with the position description. Early applications encouraged; closing 6 August 2026; questions to [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.

• Influence governance at the highest levels of CAA
• Work closely with the Board, CE and Executive Leadership Team
• Drive governance excellence across a national regulator

About the Role

As Senior Advisor, Governance and Secretariat, you'll play a pivotal role in supporting effective decision-making across CAA. Working closely with the Board, Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team and governance committees, you'll provide expert governance advice, high-quality secretariat support, and help strengthen the systems and frameworks that underpin organisational accountability, performance and strategic direction. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to governance practices that directly support New Zealand's aviation safety and security outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide trusted governance advice and support to senior leaders and governance bodies.
• Deliver high-quality governance papers, briefings and meeting documentation.
• Coordinate secretariat services and ensure actions are tracked through to completion.
• Maintain governance frameworks, forward work programmes and key documentation.
• Build strong relationships with Board members, executives and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement across governance processes, systems and practices.

The salary band for this role is $115,536 - $141,751. 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

You'll be an experienced governance professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys working with senior leaders, and can confidently balance strategic thinking with exceptional attention to detail. You'll bring sound judgement, strong relationship skills and the ability to deliver high-quality outcomes while managing sensitive and confidential matters.

To succeed in this role you'll demonstrate:

• Experience providing senior-level governance and secretariat support.
• Strong understanding of public sector and governance environments.
• Excellent written communication and the ability to produce high-quality documentation.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build trusted relationships.
• Sound judgement, discretion and confidence managing complex or sensitive matters.
• Leadership capability, a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to influence others.

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?

• 5 weeks annual leave, with an additional 2 days after five years of continuous service
• Sick leave entitlements from day 1 and ten days domestic leave annually
• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

Ready to Apply?

If you're looking for a role where your governance expertise will have organisation-wide impact, this is an excellent opportunity for 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 how your experience aligns 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: 6 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.