Senior Visitor Advisor/ Kaitohu Manuhiri Matua

About the role

The Department of Conservation is looking for a Senior Visitor Advisor/ Kaitohu Manuhiri Matua to help shape how people experience some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most significant natural places, while keeping conservation values at the centre of decision-making. This is a permanent, full-time role based in Queenstown, Invercargill, or Dunedin, with travel across the region.

Each year, more than a million visitors use DOC-managed sites. As visitor behaviour, travel trends, and tourism pressures continue to change, the organisation is moving toward a more coordinated and strategic model for visitor management and experience design.

In this position, you will work within the national Heritage & Visitor Unit as one of nine regionally based Senior Visitor Advisors, reporting to the Visitor Advice Manager. You will act as a trusted senior partner to regional leaders and leadership teams, helping turn strategy into practical delivery, strengthen capability, and improve visitor experiences in ways that also protect conservation outcomes and support DOC and stakeholder aspirations.

Key focus areas

• Support, advise, and coach regional leaders and teams so national strategy becomes integrated regional work programmes.
• Use insight, performance data, and systems thinking to spot risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Provide high-level advice on visitor management and visitor experience for priority sites and destinations.
• Take part in national and cross-regional visitor projects, system improvements, and change initiatives.
• Work as an honourable Treaty Partner by engaging with Te Tiriti partners and iwi across the region.

Additional information

Regular travel within the region is required, along with occasional travel elsewhere in New Zealand. A full driver licence is essential.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on 29 June 2026. Interviews are expected on 14 July 2026, and the selection process will include a case study exercise.

Applicants must hold a valid New Zealand work visa that covers the full period of employment. The organisation is not working with recruitment agencies for this vacancy. If you need any support or adjustments during recruitment, these can be discussed and reasonable accommodation will be considered.

For enquiries, contact Hiring Manager Lynnell Greer at lgreer@doc.govt.nz.

Skills and experience

The ideal candidate will be confident working in complex settings, influencing stakeholders quickly, and building trust with senior leaders.

• Strong understanding of visitor, recreation, tourism, or destination management, preferably in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Demonstrated experience advising, influencing, and partnering with people at all leadership levels and across varied stakeholder groups.
• Ability to use strategic insight to shape complex projects and translate national direction into regional priorities and delivery.
• Well-developed critical thinking with a practical, solution-oriented, and continuous-improvement approach.
• Clear commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the ability to work in partnership with iwi, hapū, and whānau.
• Strong collaboration skills, including the ability to coach, mentor, and support others.

Desirable experience

Background in visitor planning, destination management, tourism, travel, or a closely related field would be an advantage.

Benefits

DOC promotes a workplace where people can participate, grow, and do their best work. The organisation is working toward a culture that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default. Flexible working arrangements may be considered depending on the role and in discussion with your leader. Staff benefits also apply.

Pay and conditions

The salary range for this role is NZ$92,912 to NZ$117,570, depending on skills and experience.