Senior Business Advisor, Innovations
Big picture thinker. Calm coordinator. Someone who gets things moving. Connect people, priorities and insights, turn ideas into action, and help keep our fast-moving Innovations portfolio on track.
Fixed-term | Full-time | Te Rau Ora Pōneke, Kirikiroa, or remote based [Negotiable]
This is a newly created role working directly with our Director, Innovations. You’ll be their trusted right hand across the Innovations portfolio, helping connect strategy with delivery, keeping an eye on priorities and performance, coordinating information and people, and making sure important actions don’t fall through the gaps. The role also works closely with the wider Innovations leadership team.
You won't always be handed a tidy problem with a ready-made solution. We need someone who can work through ambiguity, ask the right questions, make good calls about what they can progress themselves, and recognise when something needs to be escalated.
About Us
Te Rau Ora is a national centre for Māori health and wellbeing in Aotearoa. Our vision is a future where whānau are thriving, self-determined and well. We are committed to developing a Māori workforce that helps shape and deliver health services and improve Māori health outcomes
Our mahi is underpinned by our values, including Wairuatanga, Puawaitanga, Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga, Kia Ngātahi Te Waihoe and Māia.
About the Role
The Senior Business Advisor provides strategic and operational support to the Director, Innovations, helping to plan, coordinate and deliver the Innovations portfolio. At its heart, this role is about creating clarity, connection and momentum across a busy directorate.
On any given day, you could be:
helping the Director and leadership team coordinate strategic and operational priorities
monitoring work programmes, actions and key deliverables
spotting risks or barriers early and working with managers to keep delivery on track
preparing briefings, reports, presentations and other senior-level information
coordinating reporting and turning information into useful insights and recommendations
bringing the right people together around an issue or opportunity
engaging with funders, partners and sector stakeholders
improving systems, processes and ways of working across Innovations
coordinating meetings and making sure decisions, actions and commitments are followed through
supporting or facilitating team workshops and activities when required
This isn't purely an EA or project management role. You'll operate at a senior advisory level, joining the dots between strategy, people, information and delivery.
About You
You’re probably the person people turn to when there are five things happening at once and someone needs to work out what matters first.
You can work comfortably with senior leaders without needing everything spelled out. You're organised enough to keep multiple workstreams moving, but flexible enough to change direction when priorities shift.
Just as importantly, you understand the difference between taking ownership and overstepping. You know which decisions sit within your remit, when to consult, and when an issue needs to go upstairs.
We’re looking for someone who:
has around 5–7 years' relevant experience in business advisory, strategic coordination, programme management, executive support, planning or organisational performance
has worked closely with executives, directors or other senior leaders
can manage multiple priorities, work programmes and stakeholder relationships in a complex environment
has experience coordinating planning, reporting and performance monitoring
can prepare high-quality briefings, reports, presentations, business cases and governance papers
can analyse information and turn it into practical recommendations
communicates clearly and knows how to adjust their approach for different audiences
builds credibility and trusted relationships with people at different levels
is confident working independently and exercising sound judgement
can handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
remains effective when priorities change or the path forward isn't completely clear
brings te reo Māori me ōna tikanga
A relevant tertiary qualification and/or experience in areas such as business, management, public policy, communications, project management or organisational development is also relevant to the role.
It would be an advantage if you have...
Experience in Māori health, mental health, social services, education, workforce development or community sectors would be valuable. So would experience working in a kaupapa Māori environment, with iwi, hapū, Māori providers, government agencies or funders, or supporting organisational change and innovation.
What makes this opportunity different?
This is a chance to step into a newly created senior role where you can help shape how the position works.
You'll sit close to decision-making, work across a broad and interesting portfolio, and build relationships with leaders, funders, partners and stakeholders. The PD identifies internal relationships spanning the Chief Executive and Leadership Team, Innovation Managers, Finance, People & Culture, Communications and Marketing, Insights and Knowledge, Te Rau Rangahau and programme/project leads. Externally, the role connects with funders, government agencies, iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, research institutions and sector partners.
Most importantly, your organisational skills and judgement will support mahi intended to make a difference for Māori communities and the wider workforce.
If you’re someone who can bring clarity to complexity, keep multiple priorities moving and build trusted relationships along the way, we'd like to hear from you. Apply now!!
Applications close 5pm, Tuesday, 17 November 2026.
To view a copy of the position description, please click link.
Te Whare o Pōneke
About Te Rau Ora
Transforming the Māori Health and Social Service Workforces