General Manager Risk and Assurance / General Counsel

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

General Manager Risk and Assurance / General Counsel 

Join an organisation contributing to meaningful outcomes through data. At Stats NZ we're About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa - data that improves lives today and for generations to come.    

• Pivotal legal, risk and assurance leadership opportunity   
• Meaningful work focused on the data system in Aotearoa New Zealand 
• Wellington based in our brand new 6-star green building 
• Salary: $192,093-$259,891 

The role | Te tūnga 

The General Manager Risk and Assurance / General Counsel is responsible for providing strategic leadership and management of the risk, legal, privacy, internal audit and governance functions at Stats NZ.  

Reporting to the DCE Office of the Chief Executive / Chief of Staff, this exceptional tier three role provides a mix of strategic and operational mahi.  

Best suited to a seasoned legal professional, the role is integral in supporting the organisation to maintain credibility, integrity and connectedness.  

You'll be accountable for lifting the legal, risk, privacy and governance maturity of the organisation, and will proactively respond to the changing risk and assurance landscape as we evolve the way we work to meet the needs of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

With seven direct reports and a team of 14, you'll be a strong and supportive leader and mentor. You'll be responsible for ensuring these essential assurance functions are effectively managed and supported to provide expert advice and strategic support to the organisation.  

As the General Counsel you'll provide high quality legal advice to the Chief Executive, Government Statistician, Government Chief Data Steward, the Executive Leadership Team and other senior leaders on key strategic legal issues, risks, and opportunities, proactively identifying appropriate, responsive, and well considered legal strategies. 

What's in it for you? | Ngā hua ka riro ki a koe 

The newly formed Risk and Assurance team has significant potential to make a strategic and long-term difference to the future of Stats NZ. Sitting within the Office of the Chief Executive you'll find a dedicated group of professionals who strive to provide a proactive and effective customer-centric service. Here you'll find:  

• diverse strategic and tactical work supporting senior leadership across the organisation  
• supportive management and a hardworking team 
• comfortable, modern offices in central Wellington 
• varied and important work for Stats NZ and Aotearoa New Zealand's data future  
• a competitive salary  
• a broad range of employee-led social and community groups.  

What you bring | Nōu te rourou 

To be considered for this role you will have a law degree and current NZLS practicing certificate or the ability to obtain one. You'll be a proven leader of leaders with experience as a general counsel, chief legal advisor or similar role within the public sector.  

To be successful in this role you'll need: 

• advanced risk management and legal analytical skills and experience managing multifaceted legal issues and disputes 
• experience operating at a strategic level within a large organisation 
• experience developing and shaping the essential legal and assurance functions within an organisation 
• a record of building and leading effective, proactive and customer-centric teams within complex environments 
• exceptional ability to anticipate risk and to facilitate, influence and persuade 
• experience in assurance and audit, governance and privacy 
• strong political nous and a proven understanding f the machinery of government. 

About us | Ko mātou  

Tatauranga Aotearoa - Stats NZ is a Central Government employer of around 1200 people across Aotearoa. We provide data and statistics to support the decisions of Government, Māori and Iwi organisations, businesses, NGOs, and New Zealanders. Our work is About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa - data that improves lives today and for generations to come.   

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono 

If this sounds like you, click on the Apply now button to be redirected to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page. 

We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interview. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video. Please let us know in your application if we need to make any specific accommodations during our process. 

Please reach out to recruitment@stats.govt.nz if you have any questions. 

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background and various pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process. 

Note to Recruitment Agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.