Senior Advisor Content Design

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Advisor Content Design

🔹 Company: Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)

🔹 Location: Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

🔹 Job Type: Permanent & Fixed-Term

🔹 Category: Government & Public Sector

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-21

🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Designing and delivering user-centred content that meets user needs while balancing business objectives.
• Leading initiatives and mentoring others to ensure effective and inclusive content design.
• Collaborating with and influencing stakeholders to support business objectives while advocating for user needs.
• Working across MBIE to deliver smarter, integrated services that build public trust and improve regulatory outcomes.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creative and strategic thinking, with a focus on user-centred design and stakeholder engagement.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Design and deliver user-centred content that balances user needs with business objectives.

✅ Translate complex policy into plain language, consistent, well-structured content that is accessible to all.

✅ Use evidence, data (such as search data) and research to make content decisions.

✅ Identify user needs, map end-to-end user journeys, and design content to meet user needs along those journeys.

✅ Contribute to and use style guides and content patterns.

✅ Lead and contribute to content planning and information architecture.

✅ Lead content maintenance, peer review, and performance analysis.

✅ Collaborate with and influence subject matter experts, project teams, and communications specialists.

✅ Lead the development of user-focussed content strategies with business partners and subject matter experts.

✅ Champion user needs, plain language, and continuous improvement.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, hands-on content creation, and stakeholder management.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: A relevant degree is a bonus, for example in English, Journalism, Social Sciences/Psychology, or relevant professional qualifications in Content Design or User Experience Design.

Experience: Proven experience in web content design or a similar field, such as UX writing.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in web content design or a similar field, such as UX writing.
• Experience creating content using consistent publishing workflows, style guides and content patterns, doing peer reviews, and having your work peer reviewed and edited.
• Experience using content creation tools like Gather Content and whiteboarding tools to plan and map content.
• A strong understanding of NZ Government digital and accessibility standards and digital trends.
• The ability to collaborate, negotiate with and influence stakeholders, supporting business objectives and commitments while advocating for user needs.
• Experience with CMS platforms (Silverstripe preferred) and using user research, Google Analytics and user journeys make content decisions.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and adapt to changing priorities.
• Commitment to Kaupapa Māori approaches and inclusive design.

Preferred Skills:

• Legal right to work in New Zealand.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in content design, with a focus on user-centred design and stakeholder engagement.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is not provided. However, according to Payscale, the average salary for a Content Designer in New Zealand is around NZD 80,000 - 120,000 per year. This role is at a mid-senior level, so the salary could be towards the higher end of this range.

Benefits:

• Government superannuation scheme.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives.

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible working arrangements available.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and the role's experience level. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal policies.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Government & Public Sector. MBIE is the New Zealand Government’s leading business-facing agency, providing world-class policy, advice, regulation, and services to support New Zealand businesses to grow.

Company Size: Large (1,001-5,000 employees). MBIE offers a wide range of roles across different locations, providing opportunities for career growth and development.

Founded: 2012. MBIE was established as part of the New Zealand Government's efforts to create a dynamic business environment that creates opportunities for all New Zealanders and contributes to growth without compromising the environment or workplace safety.

Company Description:

• MBIE provides expert advice and support to Crown entities, board appointments, and secretariat services.
• The agency supports a diverse range of portfolios, including Māori economic development, building and construction, tourism and regional development, labour science and enterprise, and innovation and investment.
• MBIE's Immigration New Zealand teams look after New Zealand’s immigration rules and laws, which support economic growth and strengthen international relationships.

Company Specialties:

• Policy development and advice.
• Regulatory services.
• Business support services.
• Immigration services.

Company Website: www.mbie.govt.nz

ASSUMPTION: MBIE's broad scope of work offers a wide range of roles and opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years of experience). This role requires a strong background in content design, with a focus on user-centred design and stakeholder engagement.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Manager, Online Channels, within the Customer Service Delivery Branch.

Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexible working arrangements available.

Growth Opportunities:

• Mentoring and leading other content designers.
• Contributing to the development of MBIE's content strategy and standards.
• Expanding expertise in related areas, such as user research or accessibility.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within MBIE's content design team and the broader agency.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Wellington's CBD.

Office Location(s): 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140, NZ.

Geographic Context:

• Wellington is New Zealand's capital city and the hub of the country's government and political activities.
• The city offers a high quality of life, with a mix of urban and natural environments, and a vibrant cultural scene.
• Wellington has a temperate marine climate, with mild winters and warm summers.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible working arrangements available.

ASSUMPTION: Wellington's urban environment and high quality of life make it an attractive location for professionals.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and CV screening.
• Phone or video interview with the hiring manager.
• Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and a panel of subject matter experts.
• Reference checks and background checks.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Content design skills and experience.
• Understanding of NZ Government digital and accessibility standards.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant content design experience and skills.
• Demonstrate your understanding of NZ Government digital and accessibility standards in your application materials.
• Prepare examples of your content design work to discuss during the interview.
• Research MBIE's mission, values, and the role's requirements to show your fit for the organization and position.

ATS Keywords: Content Design, User-Centred Design, Plain Language, Accessibility, Usability, Content Strategy, Information Architecture, Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, Content Maintenance, Performance Analysis, User Research, Google Analytics, CMS Platforms, Kaupapa Māori Approaches, Mentoring

ASSUMPTION: MBIE's recruitment process is thorough and competitive, with a focus on finding the best fit for the role and the organization.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Gather Content (content creation tool).
• Silverstripe (CMS platform).
• Google Analytics (user research tool).
• Whiteboarding tools (content planning and mapping).

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in content design tools and an understanding of CMS platforms and user research methods.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Mahi Tahi - Better Together: Working collaboratively to achieve better outcomes.
• Māia - Bold and brave: Taking initiative and being courageous in our decision-making.
• Pae Kahurangi - Build our future: Focusing on long-term outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Pono Me Te Tika - Own It: Taking responsibility for our actions and delivering on our commitments.

Work Style:

• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Focused on delivering results and continuous improvement.
• Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities and needs.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with MBIE's values, particularly 'Mahi Tahi' and 'Māia'?
• How comfortable are you working in a collaborative, inclusive environment?
• How do you approach continuous improvement and adaptation to changing priorities?

ASSUMPTION: MBIE values a work environment that is collaborative, inclusive, and focused on delivering results and continuous improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Balancing user needs with business objectives in content design decisions.
• Managing stakeholder expectations and influencing subject matter experts.
• Keeping up-to-date with NZ Government digital and accessibility standards and trends.
• Adapting to changing priorities and workload demands in a dynamic government agency.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong stakeholder engagement, adaptability, and a solid understanding of NZ Government digital and accessibility standards.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other Senior Content Designer roles in government and private sectors, but with a focus on NZ Government digital and accessibility standards.
• Compared to private sector roles, this position offers opportunities to work on high-impact, public-facing content and contribute to New Zealand's digital transformation.
• Career paths for content designers in the government sector may involve moving into management or specialist roles, such as accessibility or user research.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for content designers interested in working in the government sector and contributing to New Zealand's digital transformation.

📝 Sample Projects

• Redesigning a government website to improve user experience and accessibility.
• Developing a content strategy for a new government service, including user research, content audits, and content creation.
• Leading a content maintenance project, including peer review, performance analysis, and content updates.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of content design work involved in this role, from strategic planning to hands-on content creation and maintenance.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader content design team and MBIE's digital transformation efforts?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does MBIE support the professional development of its content designers?
• What are the key challenges facing the content design team, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
• How does MBIE approach accessibility and inclusivity in its content design work?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions demonstrates your interest in the role, the team, and the organization, and helps you understand the expectations and requirements of the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Click here to view the position description.
• Prepare a tailored CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant content design experience and skills.
• Submit your application via the online process.
• Follow up with Roxana Anderson at roxana.anderson@mbie.govt.nz if you have any further questions.
• Applications close on 3rd August 2025.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.