Trade Commissioner - Brisbane
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Posted on Feb 16, 2026
We are seeking a commercially savvy leader to join our Australia-Pacific Leadership team as the Queensland Trade Commissioner based in Brisbane growing export opportunities for New Zealand.
Who we are:
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is New Zealand's international business development agency. We work with some of New Zealand’s most forward-thinking companies, helping them to grow internationally bigger, better, faster for the good of New Zealand.
Capital of Australia’s ‘Sunshine State’ Brisbane is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia. A great place to live and work, and with the upcoming 2032 Olympic Games, the city’s growth and development plans have been boosted even further. The state of Queensland has a diverse economy, is the home to many New Zealand immigrants and is a place where a number of NZ companies have established their Australian presence.
Within the Australia-Pacific (AusPac) leadership group we have an opportunity to lead our experienced and specialised team of Commercial Business Advisors in Brisbane, as a Trade Commissioner. This exciting role requires an authentic leader who loves supporting teams to achieve success.
What you’ll be doing:
The role will require somebody with strong networks and commercial knowledge of what is takes to be successful in the Australian market. Leadership is key and you will be able to demonstrate your capability and show how this translates into leading a team of go-to-market experts enabling NZ exporters. You will have substantial experience leading and collaborating in complex environments. A culture champion, you be passionate about coaching your people to even greater achievements, as well as possess the cross-cultural agility to work with diverse international stakeholders and cultures, ensuring our organisational culture is maintained.
You’ll leverage internal and external connections for the good of our customers. You will further develop existing business and NZ Inc connections within Queensland, particularly Brisbane, and use those connections for the good of our customers. You will strategically drive NZTE’s operating model, driving best practice and continually raising the bar for our operating model. The ability to work productively with other NZ Government agencies will be an important part of the role’s remit and there is a particular need to coordinate with New Zealand’s Consul-General for New South Wales and Queensland who is based in Sydney.
We are looking for someone who is agile, pragmatic, with a commercial mind set and passion for growing New Zealand businesses. In this role you will need to be adept at advising NZTE customers on successful ‘go-to-market’ or expansion strategies. Gaining a quick understanding of the local environment you will be comfortable having strategic conversations with companies up to board level and be comfortable meeting at a senior government level. You will have exceptional relationship and influencing skills and be a confident and credible communicator.
What you’ll need to be successful:
While you’ll need the skills to interact with customers across multiple sectors, ideally you will have knowledge of the manufacturing sector (or have the desire to learn this sector), as, along with leading the Brisbane team, you will lead our sector work programme across Australia.
Whether you are already part of NZTE or joining us for the first time, your strong grasp of NZTE’s operating principles will be vital. You will take the lead in promoting our Customer Way, encouraging iPlan best practices and maintaining CRM discipline, ensuring we deliver outstanding results for both our team and our customers.
We are looking for someone who will be an authentic credible leader of the Brisbane team, a savvy guide of our stakeholders and customers, as well a key voice on the Australia Pacific Lead team. You will understand how to inspire and motivate others, bringing out the best in this experienced team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Brisbane team, provide support to NZTE customers and to represent New Zealand at senior levels in Queensland.
Why you'll love working here:
NZTE has a well-developed organisational culture where people are committed to the cause. The team is passionate about helping their customers succeed in Australia and you will love leading and working with great people. You’ll also enjoy being part of the senior leadership team setting NZTE’s strategy for the region and liaising with our people in New Zealand. The role provides exposure to more mature, established NZ customers as well as cutting edge start-ups, therefore the depth, breadth and scope of this role is quite special.
What's next:
For more information, please read position description Trade_Commissioner_-_PD and if this sounds like your next career move, apply online by 11:59pm NZST, Monday 2 March.
Before applying, please review the notes below regarding eligibility for this role:
o This contract will be for a fixed term of 3 years with the potential to extend to 5 years. Remuneration will be a competitive, locally engaged package.
o The successful candidate, and any accompanying family members must have the legal right to live in Australia.
o This role requires various vetting procedures but does not require a National Security Clearance
We believe New Zealand is good for the World. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is an equal opportunity employer. At NZTE it is all about our people and we seek diversity of thought; we welcome and encourage you to apply regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity or disability. If we need to make specific accommodations in any part of the interview process, please note this in your application or discuss with the Talent Acquisition Partner.