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Department of Conservation NZ

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Product Manager

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Summary

Product Manager at New Zealand's Department of Conservation, leading a portfolio of digital products that support conservation outcomes — owning strategy, roadmaps, prioritisation and end-to-end product performance through cross-functional collaboration (no line management). Requires solid product management experience with Agile/Lean/Scrum, data-driven decision-making, and strong stakeholder skil

Salary: $108946 - $146203 p.a.

  • Lead the strategy, direction, and delivery of digital products that support conservation outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand
  • $108,946 - $146,203
  • X2 permanent full-time opportunities, Wellington location

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa



Mō te tūranga | About the role

We're looking for an experienced Product Manager who can connect organisational strategy, user needs, and technology to deliver meaningful outcomes. Join DOC and help shape the digital products and services that support the protection and restoration of Aotearoa's unique natural and cultural heritage.

As a Product Manager, you'll lead a portfolio of digital products within one or more product domains. You'll bring together user insights, operational needs, technology capabilities and organisational goals to ensure products deliver measurable value for users, DOC and conservation outcomes.

Working closely with business leaders, delivery teams and technical experts, you'll guide product direction, influence investment and prioritisation decisions, and drive continuous improvement across your product portfolio. This role provides product leadership through collaboration and influence, rather than formal people management responsibilities.

This role suits someone who enjoys balancing long-term thinking with practical delivery, using data and evidence to make informed decisions, and building strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. You'll play a key role in shaping DOC's digital landscape and ensuring our products contribute to evolve to meet changing needs and deliver positive outcomes for nature, communities, and future generations.

The position will be focussed on:

  • Develop and maintain product strategies, roadmaps and priorities that align with DOC's organisational objectives and user needs
  • Lead prioritisation and decision-making across assigned product portfolios, balancing user needs. operational requirements, risks, opportunities and technology constraints
  • Own end-to-end product performance, ensuring products deliver measurable outcomes and are continuously improved using data, research, and feedback
  • Monitor and improve product performance, ensuring products deliver measurable outcomes and continuously evolve based on data, research, feedback, and changing business needs.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with business owners, stakeholders, senior leaders, project and product delivery teams, technical experts, vendors, and external partners to enable successful product outcomes
  • Champion user-centred product management practices and work collaboratively across teams to deliver sustainable, high-quality digital products and services

Click here for the Role Description



Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are keen to hear from you, if you have;

  • Proven experience in product management, including product planning, prioritisation, and managing products throughout their lifecycle
  • Strong knowledge of product management approaches and frameworks, including Agile, Lean, Scrum, or similar methodologies
  • Experience working across multiple products, services, or complex portfolio of multi-product environments while balancing competing priorities and stakeholder needs
  • Demonstrated ability to use data, user research, customer insights and performance metrics to inform product decisions and drive continuous improvement
  • Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across business, technology, operational and leadership groups
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and achieving outcomes through collaboration facilitation and influence
  • Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and balance short-term needs with long-term value
  • A relevant tertiary qualification in business, information technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
  • An understanding of government, public sector, or complex organisational environments would be advantageous
  • Knowledge of biodiversity, conservation management, or the work of the Department of Conservation would be advantageous, including familiarity with DOC services such as hunting permits, fishing licences, hut bookings, and Great Walks reservations
  • A commitment to Treaty partnership, with an appreciation of te ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and the role of the Māori Crown relationship in achieving outcomes for Aotearoa

We know that people bring a range of experiences and perspectives. If you don't meet every requirement listed but believe you have the capability, values and potential to succeed in this role, we strongly encourage you to apply. We'd love to hear what you can bring to the team.



He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Want to know more?



Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.

Salary: $108,946 - $146,203, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday, 30 October 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Ainah Chan, rchan@doc.govt.nz






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