General Manager – Policy & Advocacy

Champion Growers. Influence Policy. Inspire the Future of Horticulture.

General Manager – Policy & Advocacy

Location: Wellington
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: Chief Executive

About Us

At Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ), we’re passionate about growing a thriving, sustainable horticulture industry that feeds New Zealand and the world.  We represent over 4,300 commercial fruit and vegetable growers, advocating for a thriving, sustainable horticulture industry. Our vision is to create an enduring environment where growers thrive, delivering healthy food for all, forever.

HortNZ is shaping a positive future for New Zealand horticulture through leadership, advocacy, and influence for grower success. Our values – Courageous by nature, Collaborative for impact, Credible through action – guide everything we do.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and influential leader to join our executive team as General Manager – Policy & Advocacy. This is a pivotal role responsible for shaping HortNZ’s policy agenda, driving advocacy strategies, and representing the horticulture sector at the highest levels of government and industry.

A key part of this role is building and maintaining strong relationships with growers, ensuring their voices are heard and reflected in policy development and advocacy efforts. You will act as a trusted partner to growers, engaging with them on critical issues and championing their interests in regional and national forums.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will:

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team across a range of portfolios including policy and biosecurity.
• Develop and implement strategies that influence policy and deliver positive outcomes for growers.
• Represent HortNZ in national forums and maintain strong relationships with government, industry bodies, and growers.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO and Board on emerging policy issues, risks, and opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and champion HortNZ’s policy and advocacy agenda.
• Oversee policy development, research, and strategic engagement with government and growers.
• Lead environmental and sustainability strategies aligned with legislation and best practice.
• Build trusted relationships across government, industry, community sectors, and grower networks.
• Foster collaboration and innovation within your team and across the organisation.

About You

You are an engaged and passionate people leader, a strategic thinker and skilled influencer with a deep understanding of government processes and policy development. You thrive in complex stakeholder environments and have a proven ability to deliver results at a senior level.

You will bring:

• Experience leading teams and operating at an executive level.
• Extensive experience in policy leadership, advocacy, or government relations.
• Strong knowledge of legislative frameworks and environmental sustainability.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, including experience engaging with growers or primary industry stakeholders.
• A tertiary qualification in public policy, planning, law, environmental science, or a related discipline.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to influence policy outcomes at a strategic level.
• Work with a passionate team committed to shaping the future of horticulture.
• Flexible working arrangements and professional development opportunities.
• Competitive remuneration and benefits package.

Any further questions regarding this role?

Contact Phoebe Murphy at phoebe.murphy@hortnz.co.nz for a confidential discussion.

To apply for this job and Position Description

• Please click "apply for this job" which will take you to our Internal Applicant Tracking System (BambooHR) to submit your application
• To view position description, copy below link and paste in different browser (if viewing directly from seek)
  https://www.hortnz.co.nz/assets/Jan-2026_HortNZ-PD_General-Manager-Policy-Advocacy.pdf 
  

Things to Note

• Applications close at midnight on 19 February 2026
• Applicants for this position should have NZ residency/citizenship or valid NZ work visa.
• We reserve the right to close the advertisement early if we receive enough applicants for the role.
  
• We will only accept application though our Internal Applicant Tracking System (BambooHR)