Chief People & Wellbeing Officer

New Zealand Police; Wellington; On-site; NZD 206,000 - 229,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Police is seeking a Strategic People Leader based at Police National Headquarters in Wellington. You will lead the health, safety and wellbeing function, shaping the strategy and delivering operational outcomes across the organisation.

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will oversee risk management, governance and digital enablement, building high‑performing teams and partnerships with external regulators and health providers to keep staff safe, healthy and ready to work.

Qualifications

• Leads with strategic leadership capability and operational credibility.
• Experience leading through complexity and driving sustainable change.
• Trusted leader able to engage with Executive and governance forums.
• Deep commitment to safety and wellbeing of staff.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• Strong interpersonal skills with external regulators.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the long-term Safer People strategy for New Zealand Police.
• Lead a national team responsible for health and safety, wellness, physical fitness, return-to-work services and medical support.
• Strengthen governance frameworks and contribute to governance forums.
• Lead responses to significant incidents and oversee review/improvement activity.
• Build strategic relationships with ACC, WorkSafe, health providers and employee groups.
• Drive continuous improvement through modernisation of systems, services, technology and operating models.
• Champion a culture embedding safety, wellness and prevention into daily business.

Skills

leadership

risk management

governance

organisational assurance

transformation

stakeholder engagement

commercial acumen

contracts oversight

analytical thinking

people leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in health and safety or related discipline

Job description

New Zealand Police is seeking a Strategic People Leader based at Police National Headquarters in Wellington. You will lead the health, safety and wellbeing function, shaping the strategy and delivering operational outcomes across the organisation.

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will oversee risk management, governance and digital enablement, building high‑performing teams and partnerships with external regulators and health providers to keep staff safe, healthy and ready to work.