Enterprise Risk & Assurance Specialist

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 84,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Massey University is seeking an experienced risk and assurance professional to turn complex information into practical advice and strengthen organisational capability. You will provide specialist risk and assurance guidance across a large, complex university environment and embed risk-informed thinking in decision-making.

You will help strengthen enterprise risk practices, contribute to internal audit activities, and partner with strategic programmes to embed risk in governance.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' experience in risk management, internal audit, or assurance within a large or complex organisation, professional services firm, or similarly regulated environment.
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent proven professional experience.
• Experience developing, implementing, or improving risk management frameworks, systems, tools, and processes.
• Practical experience providing risk advice in complex, ambiguous, or emerging situations.
• Experience with risk-based assurance and internal audit methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the ability to identify root causes and develop pragmatic recommendations.
• The confidence to engage, influence and build trusted relationships with senior leaders, managers, and specialist teams.
• Knowledge of relevant enterprise risk management frameworks, including ISO 31000, and an understanding of internal audit standards and methodologies.
• Strong digital capability, with an interest in using data analytics and AI-enabled tools to improve risk insight and assurance practices.

Responsibilities

• Support the continued development and improvement of enterprise risk frameworks, tools, and practices.
• Analyse emerging and enterprise-wide risks and translate complex information into clear, practical advice.
• Provide risk insights and reporting to support senior leadership and governance decision-making.
• Contribute to risk-based internal audit and assurance engagements, including planning, evidence review, findings, recommendations, and follow-up.
• Partner with strategic programmes, major investments, and change initiatives to embed risk into governance and decision-making.
• Work with leaders and teams to strengthen controls, processes, and systems.
• Build risk capability through practical guidance, workshops, tools, and coaching.
• Use data, technology, and contemporary approaches to improve risk insight, assurance efficiency, and reporting.

Skills

Risk management

Internal audit

Governance

Data analytics

Stakeholder engagement

ISO 31000

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Massey University is seeking an experienced risk and assurance professional to turn complex information into practical advice and strengthen organisational capability. You will provide specialist risk and assurance guidance across a large, complex university environment and embed risk-informed thinking in decision-making.

You will help strengthen enterprise risk practices, contribute to internal audit activities, and partner with strategic programmes to embed risk in governance.