Senior Visitor Advisor

• Support, advise and coach leaders for regional teams to turn strategy into reality.
• Full-time permanent opportunity based in Hamilton.
• Regular regional and occasional national travel required. Driver licence is essential.

Toitū te marae a Tāne, toitū te marae a Tangaroa, toitū te tangata.

If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.

More than one million people visit Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai visitor sites across the country annually. Dramatic changes in the visitor industry over the last 12 months requires dynamic thinking.  The country's largest tourism experience provider, DOC, has become more strategic and forward-thinking in visitor management and experience design. 

Protect, Connect and Thrive are three key drivers to our new Heritage & Visitor Strategy and these values provide the backbone in supporting experience design, visitor planning and rolling out new systems and processes across all levels within the Department.

He angitūtanga | About the role

The Department is looking for a strategically focussed and confident stakeholder partner that can influence and advise key decision-makers in the management of our visitors and our key visitor sites and destinations.

You will be one of nine regionally based Senior Visitor Advisors reporting to the Visitor Advice Manager and part of a newly established national Heritage & Visitor Unit. Based in Hamilton, you'll be focussed on lifting operational capability through supporting and advising our senior leaders and teams in Central north island, to ensure regional work programmes are integrated and aligned with our national strategy.

Strong critical thinking capability and a solutions-focussed approach will enable you to engage with the right people at the right time to capture insights, review current system performance, identify risks and opportunities, influence design thinking and provide feedback and recommendations that will support our teams to continuously advance the visitor experience and protect conservation values. There will also be regular opportunities to support national and cross-regional visitor-related projects and improvement work, as well as engage with and provide technical advice and support to Te Tiriti partners and iwi across the region.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Understands visitor and destination management and has knowledge of Aotearoa New Zealand's recreation and tourism sectors.
• Confident and credible stakeholder relationship skills with experience in advising and influencing at all levels of management.
• Ability to apply strategic thinking and insights to influence complex projects, and translate national strategies and directions into regional priorities.
• Cultural awareness – is committed to Te Tiriti principles and can engage and work in partnership with iwi, hapū and whanau.
• Strong collaboration skills with capability to coach and mentor others in their work delivery.

A background in visitor planning, destination management, travel and tourism is desirable.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?

A fantastic supportive and collaborative working environment. You will be joining a great team that's open to fresh perspectives to continuously improving the way we do things.

We offer flexible working options, the ability to sometimes work from home or slightly adjust regular business hours as long as the work gets done.

We are committed to professional development. If successful, you will take part in nationwide induction and ongoing training programs to learn more about the Department and make valuable connections with new colleagues across the motu.

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Keen to jump aboard our waka and be at the forefront of continuous improvement of the Department's visitor experience?

Submit your CV and a tailored cover letter (PDF) online via our Careers Centre, that describes your interest and that highlights your relevant skills, experience and personal qualities.

Rā katinga | Applications close at 5 pm on Monday, 13 February 2023.

Me he pātai anō | Further enquiries contact Lynnell Greer at lgreer@doc.govt.nz.

Taupānga| Job Reference: 800/4603.

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory, including a valid work visa covering the whole period of employment if applying internationally.