Risk & Assurance Team Leader

Join our team; Ngaruawahia; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Flexible working

Annual performance reviews

Health insurance

Birthday leave

Wellbeing programme

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Waikato District Council seeks a Risk & Assurance Team Leader to strengthen enterprise risk management across the organisation and provide trusted, practical governance advice.

You will partner with senior leaders to identify opportunities and risks, shaping a resilient and high-performing council culture focused on safe, responsible decision-making.

Qualifications

• Experience in risk management, governance, audit or related fields.
• Proven ability to influence decision-makers and work with senior leaders.
• Experience developing or implementing enterprise risk and assurance frameworks.
• Strong communication skills with ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
• Leadership experience with a commitment to developing others.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Risk & Assurance team and support achievement of strategic goals.
• Identify, assess and manage strategic and operational risks with leaders across the organisation.
• Develop and deliver assurance programmes to provide confidence and drive improvement.
• Provide reporting and advice to the Audit & Risk Committee.

Skills

Risk management

Governance

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualification

Professional certifications

Tools

GRC tools

Audit software

Job description

Help us make confident decisions for the future

At Waikato District Council, everything we do is about creating thriving communities, both now and for future generations.

The opportunity

We're looking for a Risk & Assurance Team Leader who can help us navigate complexity with confidence, strengthen how we manage risk across the organisation, and provide trusted advice that supports great decision-making.

If you're someone who enjoys looking at the bigger picture, partnering with senior leaders, and turning good governance into practical outcomes, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

A role where you'll make a real impact.

What will I do?

In this position, you'll lead our Risk & Assurance team and play a key role in helping Council achieve its strategic goals safely, responsibly, and effectively.

You'll work closely with leaders across the organisation to identify opportunities and risks, strengthen our governance and assurance practices, and build a positive, risk-aware culture.

This is more than compliance and reporting. It's about providing insight, influencing decisions, and helping shape a resilient and high-performing organisation.

• Leading and evolving Council's enterprise risk and assurance frameworks.
• Partnering with leaders to identify, assess and manage strategic and operational risks.
• Developing and delivering assurance programmes that provide confidence and drive improvement.
• Supporting our Audit & Risk Committee with meaningful reporting and advice.
• Providing leadership across governance activities, including LGOIMA and delegations.
• Coaching and developing a capable and engaged team.
• Building trusted relationships across Council and becoming a go-to advisor on risk and assurance matters.

What will I bring?

You'll bring a combination of strategic thinking, sound judgement and strong relationship-building skills.

You'll likely have:

• Experience in risk management, assurance, audit, governance, legal, finance or a related field.
• A track record of influencing decision-makers and working effectively with senior leaders.
• Experience developing or implementing enterprise risk and assurance frameworks.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex concepts in a practical way.
• Leadership experience, with a genuine commitment to supporting and developing others.A relevant tertiary qualification, along with professional certifications or memberships that support your expertise.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who enjoys working collaboratively, asks great questions, and is passionate about helping organisations perform at their best.

Why join our team?

There's never been a more exciting time to join us.

We're progressing through a significant organisational transformation that is creating new opportunities, strengthening how we work, and positioning us for the future. As part of this journey, you'll be encouraged to bring new perspectives, challenge thinking, and help shape a workplace culture built on collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

In return, we'll support your growth with meaningful development opportunities, ongoing learning, and pathways to help you achieve your career aspirations

Additional Information

Salary circa $130K dependent on skills and experience.

Waikato District Council offers a range of benefits to employees:

• Enjoy free parking.
• Make work, work for you with flexible working options.
• Benefit from annual performance and remuneration reviews.
• Access subsidised health insurance.
• Celebrate with a day of birthday leave.
• Receive a work–life balance day every six months after your first year.
• Access confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Take advantage of our employee wellbeing programme.
• Receive free health checks, training and education at our annual Work Safe Home Safe event.
• Save with Boost discounts and special offers from New Zealand retailers and service providers.

Please note we will be screening applications as they come through.

We have a strong safety culture and as part of this our preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment medical assessment which includes alcohol and drug testing.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.