Website Product Owner

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.

Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

Mō te tūranga | About the role We're looking for a Website Product Owner to lead the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the Department of Conservation's main website, doc.govt.nz.

The website is large, with over 12 million visits and 36 million page views a year. It provides critical conservation, species, scientific, and recreation information to users worldwide.

In this role, you'll own the product vision and roadmap, ensuring the website remains reliable, accessible, and aligned with user needs and DOC's organisational goals. You'll take a user-centred, data-driven approach, supporting integrated, user-focused online services and delivering work that meets Government and New Zealand web standards.

This position will be focused on:

• Being responsible for the development and ongoing maintenance of the main DOC website, including its maps and other integrations
• Leading user research and usability testing to understand needs and inform improvements.
• Gathering requirements, managing and prioritising the product backlog, and working with developers and vendors on releases and enhancements
• Managing and troubleshooting technical issues
• Collaborating with the Web Team and stakeholders to deliver high-quality features and improvements
• Monitoring KPIs and analytics, managing Google Analytics integration and reporting, and coordinating website feedback, using insights to drive continuous improvement and evaluate success
• Advising on UX and accessibility on DOC platforms

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience You'll be passionate about conservation and the work we do. You'll have strong technical expertise and a proven track record of delivery. You'll also be a great communicator, who leaves jargon talk at the door when you are engaging with internal customers. Being down to earth, approachable, and supportive in your work approach and delivery would align well with our team values.

If you have some of following, we're keen to hear from you:

• Proven experience as a product manager or product owner in a digital environment
• Experience defining product vision, managing a roadmap, writing user stories and working with developers to implement solutions
• An ability to effectively manage and prioritise a product backlog
• Experience working with vendors and across digital teams
• Experience in government agencies or large organisations
• Knowledge of UX principles, NZ Government Web Standards and accessibility best practice
• Problem solving, analytical and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities for conveying complex information clearly to audiences, and the ability to provide support and share expertise
• Ability to use data and metrics to make informed decisions and to evaluate the success of products and platforms

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you? DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. Learn more about what we offer here.

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know.

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory - this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, 8 January 2026 Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, contact Bren Elks, at belks@doc.govt.nz