Biosafety, Containment & Assurance Team Lead

Ministry for Primary Industries NZ; Upper Hutt; On-site; NZD 122,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Annual Wellness payment

Bi‑annual paid eye test and lens/frame

Security clearance support

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries NZ in Upper Hutt seeks an experienced Team Manager Assurance Biosafety, & Containment to lead biosafety, containment, and assurance frameworks across the Animal Health Laboratory. You will guide incident investigations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure regulatory compliance in high‑consequence environments.

You will provide strategic advice to senior leaders, manage budgets, and collaborate with internal and external partners to strengthen operational

Qualifications

• Post-graduate qualification in microbiology or relevant scientific discipline.
• At least three years' experience in, or supervising, a microbiology laboratory.
• Strong knowledge of biosafety risk management frameworks and practices.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience making sound decisions in high‑pressure situations with significant risks.
• Strong people leadership and team management capability.
• Budget and financial management experience.
• Experience in quality assurance and laboratory health and safety practices would be advantageous.
• Experience with biocontainment building systems, procurement processes, and contracted service providers would be desirable.
• Qualifications or experience related to animal infectious diseases would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead biosafety and risk management of AHL activities, ensuring safe and compliant work.
• Provide assurance and strategic advice to senior leaders on critical business systems.
• Manage and improve systems to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee maintenance and reliability of containment facilities and equipment.
• Lead investigation, reporting, and follow‑up of incidents and breaches.
• Strengthen collaboration across teams and optimize ways of working.
• Drive continuous improvement through staff development and engagement with networks.
• Manage contracted laboratory services to ensure quality and value.
• Lead business continuity planning and emergency preparedness for biosecurity events.
• Provide effective leadership, coaching, and management of the team.

Skills

Biosafety risk management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Strategic advisory

Decision making under pressure

Budget management

Quality assurance

Education

Post-graduate qualification in microbiology or related scientific discipline

Job description

Ministry for Primary Industries NZ in Upper Hutt seeks an experienced Team Manager Assurance Biosafety, & Containment to lead biosafety, containment, and assurance frameworks across the Animal Health Laboratory. You will guide incident investigations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure regulatory compliance in high‑consequence environments.

You will provide strategic advice to senior leaders, manage budgets, and collaborate with internal and external partners to strengthen operational