Chief Assurance Officer

CGR Services; Wellington; On-site; NZD 186,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation in Wellington leads the enterprise risk, assurance and integrity functions for New Zealand's leading conservation organisation.

This is a strategic leadership role; you will provide independent, trusted advice to executives and governance forums, oversee audits and investigations, and strengthen risk management across the organisation. Applicants should have extensive public sector governance experience and proven leadership ability. A top secret clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading enterprise risk, assurance, governance, integrity or compliance functions within a large and complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise risk management, audit and assurance frameworks.
• Experience overseeing investigations, protected disclosures, integrity matters or organisational compliance activities.

Responsibilities

• Leading and evolving DOC's enterprise risk, assurance, integrity and compliance functions.
• Providing strategic advice and independent insight to executives and governance forums.
• Overseeing audit, investigations, compliance and protected disclosure activities.
• Strengthening organisational controls, accountability and assurance practices.
• Supporting organisational modernisation through effective risk management and governance.
• Leading a small, high-performing team and building strong relationships across DOC.

Skills

Enterprise risk leadership

Governance & compliance

Audits & investigations

Strategic influence

Executive reporting

Public sector experience

Change leadership

Job description

Lead DOC's risk, assurance and integrity function

Salary: $186,213-$267,681
Contract type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Wellington (preferred), flexible

The salary range for this position is $186,213-$267,681 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.

Our vision

Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

Role overview

Help shape the future integrity, assurance and risk performance of New Zealand's leading conservation organisation.

This is a unique opportunity to lead DOC's enterprise risk, assurance, integrity functions while helping shape the future performance and accountability of a large, operational organisation. Working closely with senior leaders and governance groups, you'll provide independent, trusted advice that supports strategic decision-making and strengthens organisational confidence. Building on strong foundations, you'll help ensure DOC leverages the systems, insights and assurance you lead, to deliver better outcomes for nature and New Zealanders.

Responsibilities

• Leading and evolving DOC's enterprise risk, assurance, integrity and compliance functions


• Providing strategic advice and independent insight to executives and governance forums


• Overseeing audit, investigations, compliance and protected disclosure activities


• Strengthening organisational controls, accountability and assurance practices


• Supporting organisational modernisation through effective risk management and governance


• Leading a small, high-performing team and building strong relationships across DOC

Skills and experience

You'll be a credible and influential leader who can build trust quickly, provide independent advice, and confidently navigate complex organisational issues. You'll understand how effective risk management and assurance enable successful outcomes, while knowing when to challenge, influence and support others to achieve them. You will be comfortable operating at executive level, balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery and bringing people together to drive meaningful organisational improvement.

• Significant experience leading enterprise risk, assurance, governance, integrity or compliance functions within a large and complex organisation


• Strong knowledge of enterprise risk management, audit and assurance frameworks


• Experience overseeing investigations, protected disclosures, integrity matters or organisational compliance activities


• Demonstrated success influencing senior leaders, executives and governance bodies


• Experience leading organisational change, capability uplift or maturity improvement initiatives


• Excellent communication skills, including executive reporting, facilitation and stakeholder engagement


• Experience working within a large operational, regulatory or public sector environments

Desirable

• Understanding of emerging governance and assurance issues, including AI, data privacy and regulatory stewardship


• Knowledge of, or experience within, the public service and within a large operational organisation

Locations

Wellington (preferred), Auckland or Christchurch.

Tono ināianei

What's in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

Note: this position requires top secret clearance.

Applications close at 11 : 59 pm on Friday 18 September 2026.

For further enquiries, contact Annie Colebrook at [e-mail].