Operations Manager - FTC - until Oct 2027

• Lead operational delivery for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Week 2027.
• Oversee venues, transport and delegate services for a landmark forum.
• Wellington based with travel within NZ, Fixed Term until October 2027 

Drive operational readiness for a major international diplomatic event.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

New Zealand will host the Pacific Islands Forum 2027 Leaders Week (“PIF27”) in late August 2027. PIF27 will bring together Heads of Government, Ministers, officials and stakeholders from across the Pacific, requiring coordinated delivery across multiple venues, systems and agencies. The Forum brings together 18 Member countries to articulate collective priorities, advance regional security and resilience, and reinforce the norms and values the Pacific seeks to see embedded globally.

Working to the Director PIF Taskforce, the role provides leadership across a matrix environment, including contractors, delivery partners, specialist advisers and agency representatives, to achieve successful event outcomes. The key responsibilities are:

• Lead the development and implementation of the operational logistics for PIF27, ensuring integrated delivery across transport, accommodation, venues, accreditation, delegate movements and related operational workstreams.
• Direct the development of operational plans and delivery frameworks that enable effective coordination across government agencies, suppliers and delivery partners.
• Lead operational readiness activities, ensuring systems, processes and resources are in place to support successful event delivery.
• Lead and coordinate the work of contractors, consultants, specialist advisers and delivery partners across operational workstreams.

For more detail you can view a copy of the position description here. 

The full salary range for this role is $151,085 to $204,409 total remuneration, inclusive of our KiwiSaver employer contribution. The midpoint is $177,746. We expect to appoint depending on your level of experience.  

This role is based in Wellington with travel within New Zealand as required. In the lead up to and during event delivery:

• a period temporarily based in Auckland will be required; and
• some after hours work will be required during peak periods.

Who are we looking for? - Mā‎ wai te mahi nei?

We’d like to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

• Experience leading the planning and delivery of large-scale, international multi-agency events, programmes or operational activities.
• Experience managing operational logistics and contracts across multiple workstreams, including working with complex VIP and security requirements 
• Understanding of programme and project management disciplines, including planning, governance and risk management in a complex delivery environment
• Ability to think systemically and understand how programme workstreams contribute to the broader programme objectives and delivery requirements for PIF27
• Experience managing and influencing others to successfully achieve plan and programme outcomes
• Strong judgement and ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy while maintaining alignment with programme priorities
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.   

Why MFAT? - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission.  Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

About us - Mō mātou

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.  By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand’s interests and pursue New Zealand's values.  We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world. 

To Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion please email recruitment@mfat.govt.nz

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen. 

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Top Secret clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.  This is a ‘Corporate’ role (known here as a specialist role based in central Wellington, NZ.  

While it is not usual for specialist staff to be ‘posted’ outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.