Senior Visitor Advisor / Kaitohu Manuhiri Matua

About the role

The Department of Conservation is seeking a Senior Visitor Advisor to help shape the experience of millions of visitors to New Zealand’s iconic natural sites while protecting the values that make them special. Based in the southern South Island, you will work closely with regional leaders to turn national heritage and visitor strategies into practical actions.

Key responsibilities

• Support and coach regional teams to translate national visitor strategy into integrated regional work programmes.
• Analyse performance data and insights to identify risks, opportunities and improvement actions.
• Provide strategic visitor‑management advice for priority sites and destinations.
• Contribute to national and cross‑regional visitor projects, system improvements and change initiatives.
• Engage with iwi, hapū and whānau as an honourable Treaty Partner, ensuring Te Tiriti o Waitangi considerations are embedded in all work.
• Travel regularly across the region and occasionally nationally; maintain a full driver’s licence.

Required profile

• Strong understanding of visitor, recreation, tourism or destination management, preferably within New Zealand.
• Proven experience advising and influencing senior leadership and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to apply strategic thinking, use insights and translate national direction into regional priorities.
• Critical thinking with a solutions‑focused, continuous‑improvement mindset.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience working in partnership with iwi.
• Highly developed collaboration skills, with experience coaching and mentoring others.

Required skills

What we offer

• Permanent, full‑time role with the opportunity to make a national impact on visitor experience and conservation.
• Work in some of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural environments.
• Professional development and the chance to influence strategic direction across the region.