- Head of Health & Safety
- Public sector Ministry
- Permanent, full-time role
- Wellington-based with occasional travel requirements
- Competitive remuneration c. $170,000-230,000 per annum
Beyond Recruitment is proud to support a public sector Ministry in their search for a Head of Health & Safety. The organisation is taking intentional steps to strengthen their health and safety culture and are seeking an experienced Health & Safety leader to help drive this ambitious transformation.
An external review has identified several opportunities to enhance their health and safety ecosystem. A dedicated programme is now being established to implement these recommendations. This role – along with the team you will lead – will work closely with the Project Director to deliver meaningful, organisation‑wide change.
You’ll bring deep expertise in modern health and safety practice, with demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and managing effective frameworks and policies. Your ability to influence leaders and build trusted relationships across a complex organisation, including teams based offshore, will be crucial to your success.
Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will lead a team of health and safety practitioners responsible for identifying critical risks, ensuring controls are robust and effective, and supporting high‑quality incident reporting, investigations, and governance insights. You will also contribute to organisational responses to critical events through established crisis‑management arrangements.
Who We’re Looking For:
This person needs to bring a balance of technical Health & Safety expertise, strategic nous, and relationship-building capability to effectively work at leadership level across the Health & Safety system.
You will bring:
An external review has identified several opportunities to enhance their health and safety ecosystem. A dedicated programme is now being established to implement these recommendations. This role – along with the team you will lead – will work closely with the Project Director to deliver meaningful, organisation‑wide change.
You’ll bring deep expertise in modern health and safety practice, with demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and managing effective frameworks and policies. Your ability to influence leaders and build trusted relationships across a complex organisation, including teams based offshore, will be crucial to your success.
Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will lead a team of health and safety practitioners responsible for identifying critical risks, ensuring controls are robust and effective, and supporting high‑quality incident reporting, investigations, and governance insights. You will also contribute to organisational responses to critical events through established crisis‑management arrangements.
Who We’re Looking For:
This person needs to bring a balance of technical Health & Safety expertise, strategic nous, and relationship-building capability to effectively work at leadership level across the Health & Safety system.
You will bring:
- Extensive experience developing and delivering effective health and safety strategies and programmes
- Proven leadership capability, including building and leading high‑performing teams of 5-10 people at different levels of seniority
- Deep expertise across governance, risk management, systems, frameworks, and legislative requirements
- Experience contributing to critical event response, ideally with familiarity with CIMS principles
- Strong relationship‑building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of an organisation
- A relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience
How to Apply:
Apply today via the Beyond Recruitment website with your CV and cover letter – click APPLY NOW
For a confidential conversation about this role and broader opportunity, please get in touch with Kirsty Clarke, Manager Human Resources & Executive Search, at kirsty.clarke@beyond.co.nz or 027 222 8488.
To be considered for this position, you must:
- Be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate New Zealand Security Clearance
Use this tool to self‑check your eligibility for a Top-Secret clearance:
http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool
(Note: This is not part of the formal clearance process.)
Please advise if you require any support or adjustments during the recruitment process.
Applications close: 5pm, Thursday 2nd April 2026
Job No: 132004
http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool
(Note: This is not part of the formal clearance process.)
Please advise if you require any support or adjustments during the recruitment process.
Applications close: 5pm, Thursday 2nd April 2026
Job No: 132004
