Regional Manager – Vehicle Compliance

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

. Lead regional vehicle compliance operations and deliver effective regulatory outcomes across the land transport system .

Posted 9/17/2026full-timeWellington • New ZealandMid-LevelSenior💰 NZ$134,000 - NZ$163,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive leadership in regulatory compliance operations, with a focus on strategic direction, stakeholder management, and risk-based decision-making. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and drive continuous improvement within complex public sector environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Senior Leadership ExperienceRegulatory FrameworksStakeholder ManagementOperational Risk ManagementBudget Oversight

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Regulatory ComplianceComplex Decision-MakingRisk-Based ApproachesOperational ManagementLegislation Application

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationTeam DevelopmentChange LeadershipRelationship BuildingProblem Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

Relevant Tertiary Qualification

Industry Keywords

Public SectorVehicle RegulationTe Ao MāoriTe Tiriti o WaitangiCompliance Operations

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead regional vehicle compliance operations and deliver effective regulatory outcomes across the land transport system
Provide strategic and operational leadership aligned with national regulatory frameworks
Guide a multidisciplinary team and develop high-performing managers and senior regulatory practitioners
Oversee complex regulatory decisions and drive consistent, fair and defensible regulatory practice
Balance education, engagement and enforcement approaches to support willing compliance
Build trusted relationships with industry representatives, iwi, partner agencies and local government
Represent NZTA as a credible and influential regulator
Contribute to national compliance priorities and responses to emerging risks
Identify and manage operational and regulatory risk using evidence and intelligence
Lead through change, embed new ways of working, and drive continuous improvement
Oversee budgets and prioritise resources
Travel from time to time

Requirements

What you’ll need

Significant senior leadership experience within a regulatory, compliance, enforcement, or complex public sector environment
Proven success leading and developing high-performing teams, including managers and senior regulatory practitioners
Significant experience contributing to a Senior Leadership team to support strategic direction, delivery and consistency across Vehicle Regulation
Extensive experience applying legislation, regulatory frameworks, and risk-based approaches to complex decision-making
Strong stakeholder management skills across industry, government and iwi
Experience identifying and managing operational and regulatory risk using evidence and intelligence
Track record of leading through change, embedding new ways of working, and driving continuous improvement
Strong financial and operational management experience, including budget oversight and resource prioritisation
Excellent communication skills and ability to navigate challenging situations and provide authoritative advice
Relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent experience
Knowledge of, or willingness to develop an understanding of, Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and their application within the public sector
Legal right to live and work in New Zealand

Benefits

Comp & perks

Five weeks annual leave
Life insurance
Income protection insurance
Critical illness insurance
Flexible working arrangements
Development opportunities
Equal opportunity and diversity and inclusion support
Access support or accommodations through the recruitment process