Compliance Specialist

Air New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount travel

Learning & development

FlexiLeave

Wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Job summary

Air New Zealand Limited is seeking a Compliance Specialist to join our Safety and Risk Assurance Chapter. You will identify and manage safety and compliance risks, conduct audits and investigations, and partner with teams to strengthen systems that protect people, customers and operations.

Based in Auckland or Christchurch, this role offers the chance to apply aviation expertise, influence improvements, and contribute to an iconic New Zealand brand known for safety and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' experience in aviation safety, compliance or assurance.
• Strong knowledge of SMS, risk management principles and aviation regulations.
• Experience conducting or supporting audits, investigations and improvement initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess operational safety and compliance risks; propose practical controls.
• Plan and deliver risk-based audits across operations, engineering and maintenance.
• Lead or support investigations; identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
• Translate findings into actionable recommendations to improve safety and compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to strengthen processes and controls.

Skills

Auditing & risk assessment

Safety Management Systems knowledge

Regulatory compliance (aviation)

Investigation & root cause analysis

Stakeholder engagement & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Aviation, Risk Management, Engineering)

Job description

Kia ora!

Help shape a safer, stronger Air New Zealand by turning compliance insights into meaningful improvements across our operations.

At Air New Zealand, safety is at the heart of everything we do. As one of New Zealand's most recognised and trusted brands, we're committed to maintaining high standards of safety, operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

We're looking for a Compliance Specialist to join our Safety and Risk Assurance Chapter. You'll play an important role in identifying and managing safety and compliance risks, conducting audits and investigations, and partnering with teams to strengthen the systems and processes that keep our people, customers and operations safe.

This role offers the flexibility to be based in either Auckland or Christchurch.

This is an opportunity to apply your aviation expertise, influence positive change and make a meaningful impact across an iconic New Zealand organisation.

How you'll make an impact

• Identify and assess operational safety and compliance risks, recommending practical solutions that strengthen controls and reduce exposure
• Plan and deliver risk-based audits across operational, engineering and maintenance activities, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and internal standards
• Lead and support investigations into operational, engineering and maintenance issues, identifying root causes and opportunities to prevent recurrence
• Translate audit and investigation findings into clear, actionable recommendations that drive measurable improvements in safety and compliance performance
• Partner with stakeholders across the business to strengthen processes, procedures and preventative controls
• Monitor corrective actions and improvement initiatives, helping teams address findings effectively and sustain compliance outcomes.

What you'll bring

You'll be an experienced aviation professional who combines strong technical knowledge with sound judgement, curiosity and a collaborative approach.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• At least five years' experience in the aviation industry, with exposure to operational safety, compliance or assurance activities
• Sound knowledge of safety management systems, risk management principles and aviation regulatory frameworks
• Experience conducting or supporting audits, investigations and continuous improvement activities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks, assess findings and recommend practical solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to build relationships and influence stakeholders across different business areas
• An industry-recognised auditor, lead auditor or investigation qualification would be an advantage, but is not essential.

If you bring most of this experience, along with transferable skills and the drive to grow, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join Air New Zealand?

We want our people to live their best lives, with benefits that support their wellbeing, development and time outside work.

• Enjoy discounted travel opportunities for you, your friends and whānau
• Access learning and development opportunities to grow your expertise and career
• Take advantage of FlexiLeave, with the option to purchase up to four additional weeks of leave each year
• Access wellbeing support, employee assistance services and discounted healthcare options
• Enjoy a range of staff discounts across travel, accommodation, retail and lifestyle providers.

Ready for take-off?

If you're passionate about aviation safety, enjoy solving complex challenges and want to help shape a culture of continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

Join our Safety and Risk Assurance Chapter and help us maintain the trust, safety and operational excellence that Air New Zealand is known for.

Applications close Thursday, 26th November

Additional Information

At Air New Zealand, we are proudly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and believe in creating a truly inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. Our people are our greatest asset – because while everything else we do in our operation can be replicated by our competitors, it is our people that truly set us apart. We are firm believers in celebrating the differences and diversity of thought our people bring to their roles.

Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata. Ko te pae tata whakamaua, kia tina.

\"Seek to bring distant horizons closer. Once near, seize them and make them your reality.\"