Head of Risk & Assurance

Auckland Transport; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Transport is seeking a Head of Risk & Assurance to lead risk, assurance, compliance and resilience at enterprise scale in Auckland. You will report to the Executive General Manager and guide independent challenge and trusted advice to senior leaders and the Board.

You will shape risk strategy, build trusted relationships, and lead a high‑performing team across risk, audit, business continuity and crisis management to support delivery for Aucklanders.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in risk, assurance or governance.
• Proven ability to design/implement risk frameworks and assurance programmes.
• Experience working with Boards and Executive Leadership Teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise risk management, assurance and internal audit programmes.
• Oversee business continuity and crisis management frameworks.
• Manage compliance, investigations and integrity functions.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Risk management

Internal audit

Governance

Board reporting

Crisis management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Professional risk/audit governance certifications

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Auckland Transport - Auckland, North Island

• Lead risk, assurance, audit, compliance and resilience at enterprise scale.
• Join Auckland Transport's senior leadership team and help shape Auckland's future.
• Champion good governance, informed decisions and organisational resilience at enterprise scale

Shape confidence. Strengthen resilience. Influence Auckland's future.

As our Head of Risk & Assurance, you'll play a critical leadership role in ensuring Auckland Transport remains resilient, accountable and trusted as we deliver for Aucklanders.

Reporting to the Executive General Manager, People, Governance & Risk, you'll lead the organisation's risk, internal audit, compliance, assurance, business continuity and crisis management functions. You'll provide independent challenge and trusted advice to senior leaders, governance forums and the Board, ensuring strategic and operational risks are effectively understood, managed and monitored.

What you'll lead

• Enterprise risk management, assurance and internal audit programmes
• Business continuity and crisis management frameworks
• Compliance, probity, investigations and integrity functions
• Strategic governance reporting to Executive Leadership and the Board
• A high-performing team of risk and assurance professionals

Nā tāu rourou | What will you bring?

You will be a strategic leader with deep expertise in risk, assurance and governance, coupled with the credibility to influence and challenge at the most senior levels.

You’ll bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in risk management, internal audit, assurance or related disciplines.
• Proven experience designing and implementing risk frameworks and delivering assurance programmes within complex organisations.
• Experience working with Boards, Board Committees and Executive Leadership Teams.
• Strong knowledge of compliance, governance, investigations, business continuity and crisis management.
• Exceptional judgement, influencing skills and the ability to balance risk management with organisational delivery objectives.
• A track record of building trusted relationships and leading high-performing teams.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications, with professional risk, audit or governance certifications highly regarded.
• Strong collaboration skills, with experience working across organisational boundaries.

At Auckland Transport, people are at the heart of everything we do. We're proud to foster a workplace where inclusion isn't just encouraged it's embedded in our culture. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, valued, and supported. Our values guide how we work and connect: Manaakitanga - we care deeply for our communities; Tiakitanga - we prioritise safety in every journey; Whanaungatanga - we build strong relationships; and Auahatanga - we strive to be better, bolder, together.

Join a high-performing and future-focused leadership team, collaborating with senior executives who are driving strategic change and shaping the future of transport in Tāmaki Makaurau.

For a confidential discussion or for more information please get in touch with Rennie Sharma, Talent Acquisition Business Partner*************@at.govt.nz

We tiaki all those who use transport in Tāmaki Makaurau.