Manager, Strategy, governance and advocacy

MITO powers the skills behind some of Aotearoa’s most essential industries, from automotive and commercial road transport to logistics, mining, quarrying, drilling and gas. With deep connections across these sectors, they’re driving a future‑ready, highly skilled workforce that fuels innovation, productivity and growth across Aotearoa.

MITO is excited to offer a newly created opportunity for a strategic, commercially savvy and relationship‑driven leader to join them as Manager Strategy, Governance & Advocacy. This pivotal role reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and plays a central part in shaping MITO’s strategic direction, strengthening governance, and ensuring their industries are well‑positioned within the vocational education and training system.

If you thrive on momentum, collaboration and big‑picture impact, this is your chance to lead from the front. As a newly established role, you will have the opportunity to shape its scope, influence organisational direction, and embed best‑practice strategic and governance processes.

About the role

In this influential senior position, you will:

• Lead and contribute to strategic planning, business planning and policy development.
• Support the CEO and Board with high‑quality analysis, insights and governance materials.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with TEC, NZQA, government agencies, iwi, employers and industry partners.
• Provide sector‑wide insights to ensure MITO’s work aligns with industry needs and future workforce development priorities.
• Lead MITO’s advocacy and industry representation, ensuring messaging is evidence‑based and strategically aligned.
• Deliver analytical, research and performance insights that support robust organisational decision‑making.
• Champion cross‑functional collaboration and contribute to MITO’s reputation as a high‑performing organisation.

What you’ll bring

You will be someone who can operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders across industry and government.

You will have:

• Senior‑level experience in strategy, stakeholder engagement, governance or policy.
• Strong commercial acumen
• Strong analytical capability across financial and non‑financial performance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to build relationships, facilitate engagement and navigate complex environments.
• A sound understanding of the tertiary education sector is preferable
• High levels of resilience, adaptability and professional judgement.

Why join MITO?

At MITO, their values guide everything they do, respect, Integrity, Ignition, Ingenuity and Community. You’ll be part of a collaborative, purpose‑driven organisation that is passionate about enriching lives and inspiring futures.

If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for workforce development and strong relationship‑building capability, we’d love to hear from you.

Location

National Office – Wellington CBD. This role is an onsite role and not available for remote working.

Applications close 6^th May 2026

Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence within this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Jing Li on 04 471 9720.