Senior Visitor Advisor / Kaitohu Manuhiri Matua

About the role

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is seeking a Senior Visitor Advisor to help shape the experience of millions of visitors to Aotearoa’s iconic natural places. Based in Queenstown, Invercargill or Dunedin, you will work closely with regional leaders to translate national heritage and visitor strategy into practical actions that protect conservation values while enhancing visitor experiences.

Key responsibilities

• Support and coach regional teams to develop integrated work programmes aligned with national strategy.
• Analyse performance data and use systems thinking 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 Te Tiriti partners and iwi, ensuring advice respects Treaty obligations.
• Travel regularly across the southern South Island and occasionally nationwide; hold 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, translate national direction into regional priorities and deliver results.
• Critical thinking with a solutions‑focused, continuous‑improvement mindset.
• Demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ability to work in partnership with iwi, hapū and whānau.
• Highly developed collaboration skills, with experience coaching and mentoring others.

Required skills

• Strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Data analysis and performance monitoring.
• Systems thinking and risk assessment.
• Understanding of Treaty partnership processes.