Enterprise Risk Director

New Zealand Transport Agency; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Income Protection

Critical Illness Insurance

Job summary

The New Zealand Transport Agency invites an experienced Enterprise Risk Director to position risk at the centre of strategic and operational decisions.

Reporting to the Group General Counsel and joining the General Counsel Office leadership team, you will lead the evolution of NZTA’s enterprise risk capability and provide independent, forward‑looking insight to the Chief Executive, ELT, Audit and Risk Committee and Board.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading an enterprise risk function in a large, complex environment.
• Track record lifting organisational maturity towards proactive risk management.
• Credibility with Chief Executives, ELT, Boards and audit committees.
• Deep expertise in enterprise risk governance, including frameworks, operating models, policy, standards and reporting.
• Knowledge of Te Ao Māori Te Reo Māori and Tiriti o Waitangi in public sector.

Responsibilities

• Position enterprise risk at the centre of NZTA’s major decisions and steer its risk capability.
• Embed risk-informed thinking in strategic, investment and operational decisions.
• Lead, coach and develop the enterprise risk team and partner with leadership and Boards.
• Provide independent, forward-looking insight to the CEO, ELT, Audit & Risk Committee and Board.
• Strengthen governance, risk appetite and resilience including business continuity and crisis management.

Skills

Enterprise risk governance

Leadership

Influence with executives and boards

Risk management maturity

Business continuity / crisis mgmt

People leadership

Tertiary qualification in risk/govern

Knowledge of Te Ao Māori / Te Reo

Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Education

Tertiary qualification in risk/governance

Job description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

This newly established role will position enterprise risk at the centre of NZTA’s major transport, investment and organisational decisions. Reporting to the Group General Counsel and joining the General Counsel Office leadership team, you will lead the evolution of NZTA’s enterprise risk capability. You will provide independent, forward-looking insight and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, Audit and Risk Committee and Board. The Enterprise Risk Director will set the direction for enterprise risk, strengthen governance and risk appetite, and help leaders navigate emerging risks, opportunities and trade-offs. You will embed risk-informed thinking in strategic, investment and operational decisions and strengthen enterprise resilience, including business continuity and crisis management. You will also lead, coach and develop the enterprise risk team, positioning the function as a trusted strategic partner that brings foresight, sound judgement and a balanced view of risk, value and delivery. View the Position Description here.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

• Extensive experience leading an enterprise risk function in a large, complex and highly scrutinised environment.
• A track record of lifting organisational maturity towards proactive, insight-led risk management.
• Demonstrated influence and credibility wit.h chief executives, executive leadership teams, Boards and audit and risk committees.
• Deep expertise in enterprise risk governance, including frameworks, operating models, risk appetite, policy, standards and Board reporting.
• Strong commercial and systems thinking, with experience strengthening enterprise resilience, including business continuity or crisis management.
• Highly developed people leadership capability, with experience building technical and strategic capability and fostering accountability, continuous improvement and delivery.
• A relevant tertiary qualification alongside a recognised risk, audit or governance qualification.
• You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori.
• You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public sector.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Our purpose is transport networks that deliver for people, places and NewZealand. Within Te Ama – Commercial and Corporate, the General Counsel Office enables NZTA to operate with commercial strength, integrity and resilience through expert leadership in governance, legal, procurement, risk and assurance.

• Along with our other benefits, we offer Waka Kotahi Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for permanent employees.

If you can bring foresight, constructive challenge and sound judgement to NZTA’s most significant decisions, we welcome your application.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: 14 November 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail].

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in NewZealand. Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process. Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.

Ko wai mātou | About us

At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.