Risk, Controls & Assurance Manager

Napier City Council; Napier; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional council in Hawke's Bay is seeking a Risk, Controls & Assurance Manager to lead a new shared service with a focus on building a risk culture and enhancing decision-making. Applicants should have significant experience in risk management and governance, alongside strong leadership skills. This full-time role offers annual leave, health benefits, and a salary package between NZD 130,100 and NZD 153,100.

Benefits

5 weeks annual leave after 2 years service

Discounted Health Insurance Work Scheme

Retailer Discounts

Quarterly values awards

Free flu vaccinations

Qualifications

• 9–10 years of senior-level experience in risk, internal audit, governance, or compliance.
• Proven ability to translate complex risk issues into clear, actionable advice.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of risk, controls, and assurance frameworks.
• Drive strategic risk management and support long-term community outcomes.
• Provide clear, strategic risk reporting and advice to leaders.

Skills

Risk Management

Internal Audit

Governance

Stakeholder Management

Communication

Education

Degree in Risk Management, Business, Law, Accounting, or related field

Job description

Be at the helm of a brand-new shared service that brings together the strengths of Napier City Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. As the Risk, Controls & Assurance Manager, you’ll lead a high-performing team that’s building a centre of excellence for risk, assurance, and internal controls across both organisations.

This is your opportunity to shape strategy, lift risk maturity, and embed a proactive risk culture that delivers real value to our communities. You’ll provide clear, strategic advice to senior leaders and elected members, lead internal audit and compliance programmes, and strengthen organisational resilience through strong governance, business continuity planning, and effective risk frameworks.

Working collaboratively across both councils, you’ll foster innovation, build capability, and champion continuous improvement in risk management and assurance. With a strong political awareness and a collaborative leadership style, you’ll ensure the team delivers tangible outcomes that protect financial sustainability, enhance decision-making, and safeguard public trust.

Bring your expertise in risk, internal audit, and governance to a role where strategy meets impact — and play a pivotal part in shaping the future of this innovative shared service.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

• Lead the development and delivery of risk, controls, and assurance frameworks across two councils.
• Drive strategic risk management, building resilience and strengthening governance to support long-term community outcomes.
• Oversee internal audits, quality management and assurances activities, compliance programmes, and business continuity planning to ensure robust operations.
• Provide clear, strategic risk reporting and advice to senior leaders, elected members, and council committees.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team, fostering collaboration, capability, and continuous improvement.
• Shape and embed a proactive risk culture that enhances decision-making and delivers value to ratepayers.

He kōrero mōhou - About You

• Degree in Risk Management, Business, Law, Accounting, or a related field.
• 9–10 years of senior-level experience in risk, internal audit, governance, or compliance.
• Proven ability to translate complex risk issues into clear, actionable advice for diverse audiences.
• Skilled leader with experience mentoring and developing teams.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Excellent communication, reporting, and presentation skills with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach.
• Resilient, adaptable, and proactive in fostering innovation and continuous improvement.

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

• 5 weeks annual leave after 2 years service
• Discounted Health Insurance Work Scheme + Eye Test Subsidy
• Retailer Discounts + Study assistance
• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)
• Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club
• Free flu vaccinations (annual)
• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka
• Te Reo Māori language classes

This is a permanent, full time opportunity working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You’ll be based in Napier CBD.

The annual salary package for this role is between $130,100-$153,100 (including KiwiSaver), depending on your skills and experience.

Applications close on 24 October 2025 however we will be reviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person. Please don’t wait to apply.

About NCC and HBRC

As an employee of Napier City Council, you'll play a pivotal role in our innovative shared services model with Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. This partnership enhances our collective capability, fosters operational efficiency, and strengthens service delivery across both councils. While your primary employment will be with Napier City Council, you'll have the unique opportunity to operate across both Councils, with a dual reporting relationship to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, contributing to a shared resource model for risk management and assurance.

This collaborative framework ensures that our shared services are not just a structural arrangement but a dynamic, integrated partnership that delivers greater value to our communities.