Manager, Aviation Safety Coordination

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 116,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Wellington seeks a Manager Aviation Safety Coordination to lead the Aviation Safety Oversight Group. You will drive regulatory coordination, prioritise delivery, and build a high-performing team responsible for critical safety oversight. This fixed-term role runs to January 2028.

You will guide performance-driven changes, establish consistent processes, and ensure effective communication across the organisation while maintaining high safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing teams in regulatory or aviation environments.
• Strong coordination and prioritisation skills across multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to use data to drive performance and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team that coordinates and prioritises work across the Aviation Safety Oversight group.
• Manage intake and allocation of applications, enquiries and correspondence.
• Collaborate with leaders to deliver business priorities and service standards.

Job description

The Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service offer distinctively different career opportunities and embrace diverse talent. All jobs at the Authority contribute to ensuring safe and secure skies to help New Zealand fly.

The Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory arm of our organisation and the Aviation Security Service is the nationwide provider for aviation security.

Lead critical aviation coordination services Inspire a high-performing team delivering real impact

Fixed term opportunity to Jan 2028 based in Wellington

About the Role As Manager Aviation Safety Coordination, you'll lead a pivotal function within our Aviation Safety Oversight Group, ensuring regulatory work is effectively coordinated, prioritised and delivered across the organisation.

You'll play a key role in leading a team through its next stage of development, building a strong culture, and creating a high-performing environment where people can thrive and deliver exceptional outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading a team that coordinates and prioritises work across the Aviation Safety Oversight group
• Managing the intake and allocation of applications, enquiries and correspondence
• Working with leaders across the organisation to deliver business priorities
• Use data and performance insights to improve performance and service delivery
• Oversee the integrity and management of the New Zealand Aircraft Register
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and supporting a high-performing team culture
• Establish consistent processes, systems and service standards across the function

The salary band for this role is $115,536 - $161,412, with the mid-range being $141,751. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

For more information on the role please view the position description.

What You'll Bring

You'll be an experienced people leader who enjoys bringing structure and to complex operational environments. You'll be comfortable working with competing priorities, building strong relationships across an organisation, and supporting teams to deliver high-quality results. You'll bring sound judgement, a practical approach to problem solving, and the ability to adapt to changing demands while maintaining a focus on service and performance.

To succeed in this, role you'll demonstrate:

• Experience leading and developing teams, creating an environment where people can perform at their best
• Strong coordination and prioritisation skills, with the ability manage competing demands
• Experience using information and insights to support decision-making and continuous improvement
• The ability to build effective working relationships and communicate confidently with a wide range of people
• Sound judgement and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities
• An understanding of a regulatory environment, or the ability to quickly develop knowledge of the aviation regulatory system

About Us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand's aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand's international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system - so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values — Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration — guide everything we do. We're committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and valued. Our people are central to our success.

Applications close: Monday 14 September 2026