Manager - Health and Safety Business Partnering
- Shape H&S strategy, empower senior leaders, and drive risk, compliance, and culture across Kāinga Ora
- Flexible on work location as Auckland or Wellington
- Permanent role, salary $211,979 + 5 weeks' annual leave and insurance benefits
Te whiwhinga mahi - Our opportunity
Kāinga Ora is entering an exciting new chapter as we embed changes following a significant restructure. We’re refocusing on our core mission—providing and managing state-owned social housing in a financially sustainable way—and building strong foundations for the future. As we embed changes and adapt to navigating both internal and external shifts, we’re opening up new opportunities that will support key functions and help shape the future of Kāinga Ora.
As the Manager – Health and Safety Business Partnering, you will lead a high-performing team and work closely with senior leaders to embed health and safety into business strategy and operations. You will provide expert guidance on risk management, deliver data-driven insights, and ensure continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities include driving organisation-wide risk assessments, implementing robust policies, and engaging with key stakeholders such as WorkSafe NZ, MBIE, ACC, and unions.
You will champion continuous improvement through performance monitoring, audits, and capability-building initiatives. You will thrive in in inspiring and developing your team to deliver high-quality advisory services and practical operational support, strengthening our safety culture and enhancing organisational resilience.
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu - What you will bring
To succeed in this role, you will bring:
- Proven leadership experience in health and safety within large, complex organisations.
- In-depth knowledge of New Zealand health and safety legislation, risk management frameworks, and best practice.
- Strong business partnering experience with the ability to engage and influence leaders.
- Expertise in leading risk assessments, policy development, and compliance initiatives.
- A track record of developing and implementing effective organisation-wide health and safety strategies.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with a focus on collaboration and engagement.
- A data-driven approach, with the ability to interpret and present health and safety performance metrics to support decision-making.
- Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and a commitment to cultural competency.
Nōu te rourou - What's in it for you?
We offer competitive salaries, five weeks' annual leave and a benefits package including a range of insurances, flexible working arrangements and career development. These benefits are described in more detail here https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz/a-great-place-to-work/benefits
As a Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities employee, we want to make sure that you have all the tools and support you need. We want to ensure you are healthy and have work-life balance. We also want to support and grow your personal and career development through on-the-job learning, training courses, secondments and study opportunities.
Mō mātou - Our Organisation
At Kāinga Ora, ours is the important responsibility of transforming New Zealand’s housing choices, outcomes and the entire housing sector by creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive.
What is exciting about working for Kāinga Ora is getting the chance to make a real and positive impact on New Zealanders’ lives. With skills, planning and purposeful action, our people are creating the homes and neighbourhoods that will build the future of Aotearoa.
We are passionate about transforming New Zealand for the better. That includes being a trusted partner for Māori and iwi, protecting and enabling their rights, interests and aspirations under the guidance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Ō tātou uara - Our values
Our values were developed by us, for us. They unite us as an organisation and guide how we work every day. Our values are:
- Manaakitanga – People at the Heart
- Mahi Tahi – Better Together
- Whanake – Be Bold
Tūhono mai - Join us
To view the position description and apply for this role, please follow the online process via https://careers.kaingaora.govt.nz. Please note: all applicants, including existing employees, need to follow this process. If you have any questions about this role, please contact Enna.Cecilio@kaingaora.govt.nz.
Please note that applications will be reviewed after the year end shutdown. You may not receive any communication update regarding your application until week commencing 5 January 2026.
Applications close on Sunday, 4 January 2026 at 11:55pm.
We value diversity and are committed to working with each other and our customers in an inclusive and respectful way. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and appreciate the richness of experience that your point of difference brings to the organisation.