Trade Commissioner - Sydney
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posted on Feb 16, 2026
We are seeking a commercially savvy leader to join our Australia-Pacific Leadership team as the Trade Commissioner based in Sydney 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.
What you’ll be doing:
Australia is a critically important economic partner and a large export market for New Zealand. The Trade Commissioner - Sydney, will manage an advisory team that works with New Zealand exporters in Australia to supercharge their growth. You will work closely with the Regional Director, Australia-Pacific (AusPac) and play a pivotal role in regional decision-making.
This is a varied role working with a team who have a large customer portfolio, so you will be comfortable working across a full range of sectors, and you will be able to understand the needs of companies of different sizes and who are at various stages of growth. There is strong focus in the tech sector(s) where New Zealand exporters have a reputation for innovation, and this sector will benefit from your knowledge of go-to-market strategies in a complex local landscape.
With a strong understanding of regional market dynamics and established connections with local business communities, ecosystem partners, and government organisations. You will understand how local ecosystems operate, and connect these insights to strategic planning, managing ambiguity to pivot as commercial priorities shift.
What you’ll need to be successful:
We are looking for someone with a commercial mindset and a passion for growing businesses – especially New Zealand businesses. Leadership skills are critical to this role. You will be able to demonstrate the steps you have taken to build your capability and experience and show how this translates into leading an experienced, professional, team of go-to-market experts enabling NZ exporters. Can you guide, coach and develop a high-performing team to even greater performance levels? Can you contribute further to the organisation’s culture?
You'll be a confident communicator with the ability to listen and understand the needs of different audiences. An influential partner at the senior level, you’ll be comfortable having strategic conversations with companies at the board level as well as leading your team to enable customers in their tactical execution, guiding decision making for maximum impact.
Operating out of our regional hub office in Sydney you’ll possess strong relationship management and influencing skills enabling you to work positively with other New Zealand agencies. Cross‑cultural agility is essential. You are comfortable working across multiple countries, cultures, and operating contexts, and can rapidly understand local nuances while maintaining a consistent strategic direction. You’ll be adept at senior-level collaboration and have an ability to leverage key strategic relationships internally, with customers and with external organisations, including Australian councils and associations.
In your career, you may have been responsible for international export, business development, marketing, sales or strategy and will keenly understand ‘go-to-market’ and expansion strategies. You’ll be curious and keen to constantly understand changes in the commercial environment – more importantly you’ll be able to help your team turn these changes into opportunities and actions with our customers.
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 role commences in October 2026.
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.