Principal Technology Advisor

Location: Wellington
Discipline: Government
Job type: Contract
Salary: 125 to 140
Contact name: Shane Rangihaeata
Contact email: shane@placeme.nz
Job ref: 1647874
Published: about 1 month ago
On behalf of a highly respected, tier-one organisation undergoing a significant, long-term digital evolution, we are seeking a visionary Principal Technology Advisor.

This is a high-influence, enterprise-level position designed for a seasoned technologist who thrives at the intersection of complex modern technology, grand-scale strategy, and executive influence.

You will act as the trusted right hand to the CIO, shaping the technological roadmap that will define the organisation’s future capability.

Your day-to-day will involve strategy and cross-functional alignment.

Key Responsibilities & Competencies:
  • "Run Tech, Talk Tech, and Hold the Line": The ideal candidate must have a deep technical background, allowing them to communicate effectively with technical teams while firmly managing boundaries and expectations.
  • Strategic Pushback & Challenge: They need the confidence to challenge existing processes and timelines when necessary (e.g., assessing the true risks of delayed penetration testing and determining whether the business can safely absorb that risk).
  • Risk Calibration: Currently, every issue is being treated with "high octane" urgency. This person needs a grounded risk mindset to accurately calibrate situations—identifying what genuinely requires high-level intervention versus what is actually a low-response, minor issue.
  • Strategic Advice: Provide sound, realistic technical counsel to Aaron, keeping him focused on high-priority items rather than getting pulled down into minor operational details.
To be successful in this role, you will bring a blend of deep technical understanding and corporate diplomacy.

We are looking for:
  • Proven Advisory Experience: A track record operating at a Principal, or Strategic Advisor level within large-scale, complex enterprise environments.
  • Masterful Communication: The ability to command a room of engineers just as easily as a room of Stakeholders. You are a storyteller who can articulate the "why" behind technology paths.
  • Strong Technical Ability: Proven experience handling complex environments and integrations (such as legacy systems, SnapHire, Tableau, data schemas, etc.).
  • Pragmatic Risk Mindset: Ability to balance technical perfection with real-world business risks and timeline. 
  • No Ego: A collaborative peer who is focused on supporting the team and getting the job done.
Why Consider This Role?  
  • Scale & Impact: Your decisions will directly impact users and shape a critical piece of industry infrastructure.
  • True Autonomy: Operate with a high degree of trust and independence, reporting directly into the CIO.
  • Flexible Working: A highly progressive hybrid working model that prioritises outcomes over clock-watching.
If you are a Senior Technology Advisor looking for your next career-defining challenge, we would love to hear from you.