Chief Assurance & Risk Leader — Flexible Location

Department of Conservation (DOC); Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 186,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in Wellington leads the enterprise risk, assurance and integrity functions for New Zealand's leading conservation agency. The role provides independent, trusted advice to executives and governance groups to strengthen accountability and drive better outcomes for nature and New Zealanders.

You will oversee audit, investigations, compliance and protected disclosures, guiding modernisation of risk practices while managing a small, high-performing team across the

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading enterprise risk, assurance, governance or compliance functions.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise risk management and audit frameworks.
• Experience overseeing investigations and protected disclosures.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and governance bodies.
• Experience leading organisational change or maturity initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve DOC's enterprise risk, assurance, integrity and compliance functions.
• Provide strategic advice and independent insight to executives and governance forums.
• Oversee audit, investigations, compliance and protected disclosures.
• Strengthen organisational controls, accountability and assurance practices.
• Support modernisation through effective risk management and governance.
• Lead a small, high-performing team and build relationships across DOC.

Skills

Leadership

Enterprise risk

Audit & assurance

Governance

Investigations

Protected disclosures

Executive reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector

Organisational change

Job description

Department of Conservation (DOC) in Wellington leads the enterprise risk, assurance and integrity functions for New Zealand's leading conservation agency. The role provides independent, trusted advice to executives and governance groups to strengthen accountability and drive better outcomes for nature and New Zealanders.

You will oversee audit, investigations, compliance and protected disclosures, guiding modernisation of risk practices while managing a small, high-performing team across the