Lead safety culture on a nationally significant infrastructure recovery project.
This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior HSW leadership role at the heart of one of New Zealand’s most important transport programmes.
Join a group of national and regional partners who are delivering a major infrastructure restoration project along the East Coast. We’re looking for an experienced Head of Health, Safety & Wellbeing to join the project leadership team and embed safety, wellbeing and compliance into every aspect of daily operations.
About the Role
As Head of HSW, you’ll report to the Project Director and work closely with a cross-functional leadership team to set strategic direction and lead the HSW function. This includes managing a dedicated HSW team and providing coaching and support to operational leads.
You’ll play a critical role in risk management, safety culture, regulatory compliance, and supporting worker wellbeing across multiple delivery teams and workstreams.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide visible HSW leadership across all alliance partner organisations
- Drive a values-led safety culture across complex and high-risk operations
- Oversee all aspects of HSW risk management, incident response and investigations
- Collaborate with iwi, local councils, suppliers and community stakeholders
- Lead a proactive, data-informed approach to compliance and continuous improvement
- Ensure robust systems, emergency plans, training and assurance programmes are in place
What You’ll Bring
- 10+ years’ experience in HSW within NZ civil infrastructure, major projects or construction.
- 5+ years’ experience in senior leadership where multiple stakeholders are involved.
- Relevant HSW qualifications or equivalent experience.
- Deep understanding of NZ health and safety legislation and systems thinking approaches
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and a collaborative leadership style
- Commitment to driving positive health, safety and wellbeing outcomes for people and communities
- Legal rights to work in NZ and many years of local HSW experience - on this occasion overseas application will not be considered.
Location Requirement;
To succeed in this role, you must be based in Gisborne Monday to Friday for the full 11-month term. This is a site-embedded leadership position central to the operational rhythm of the programme .
Why This Role?
- Be part of a high-impact, nationally significant infrastructure recovery.
- Help drive safety culture and systems of a major programme.
- Work with a passionate and values-driven leadership team.
- Competitive salary $200 - $210k pa pro rata, + tools of the trade - ensure a safe wrap-up of the project.
Apply here online now to lead with purpose, care, and impact — and contribute to one of New Zealand’s most important regional recovery efforts. Trust your application goes straight to my inbox to be reviewed asap !
To be a part of some significant and exciting projects apply here online or call Brianna on 021 541 736 today for a confidential chat. If this role is not for you, but you do want to talk about a change and any other roles we have, that are not advertised, don't hesitate to get in touch today! We have interesting clients in every corner and region of NZ. Civil Managers, Contract Managers and skilled Site Engineers I want to hear from you!
RobLawMax specialises in recruitment across Construction , Infrastructure, Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy and Industrial sectors. As specialists, our consultants are equipped with industry-specific knowledge, extensive networks, and an empathy and understanding of the recruitment process within infrastructure construction. We are proud to announce that we have recently achieved ISO9001 accreditation for our Quality Management System (QMS), and ISO450001 accreditation for Occupational Health and Safety (OHandS) management systems.