Safety Manager

Thames--coromandel-District-Council; Waikato; Hybrid; NZD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Flexible working options

Annual performance & remunerationレビュー

Subsidised health insurance

Birthday leave

Wellbeing programme

Employee Assistance Programme

Work Safe Home Safe event

Boost discounts

Job summary

Waikato District Council seeks an experienced Safety Manager to lead health, safety and wellbeing across the organisation. You will partner with senior leaders to shape a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with NZ legislation, while driving continuous improvement and risk management.

Your leadership will empower teams, develop the Zero Harm function, and deliver measurable safety outcomes through collaboration and strong governance across all sites and services.

Qualifications

• Senior health, safety and wellbeing leadership experience required.
• Strong knowledge of NZ health and safety legislation and best practice.
• Proven ability to develop and implement safety strategies.
• Excellent leadership and relationship-building with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of Zero Harm strategy and framework.
• Provide expert advice on health, safety and wellbeing across the organisation.
• Ensure legislative compliance and best practice adherence.
• Drive risk management, assurance activities and incident investigations.
• Coach leaders to build a strong safety culture and high performance.
• Lead and develop the Zero Harm team with focus on learning.
• Monitor, analyse and report health, safety and wellbeing trends.
• Build relationships with regulators and industry stakeholders.
• Champion initiatives supporting staff health, wellbeing and resilience.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Influencing skills

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Analytical thinking

Communication at all levels

Change management

People-focused approach

Education

Bachelor's degree in Health & Safety or related field

Job description

As we continue to evolve and strengthen our organisation, we're looking for an experienced and passionate Safety Manager to lead our health, safety and wellbeing function and help shape a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility.

This is an influential leadership role where you'll work closely with senior leaders and teams across the organisation to drive a proactive approach to health, safety, risk management and wellbeing. If you're a strategic thinker who enjoys building capability, influencing positive change and making a meaningful difference, we'd love to hear from you.

What will I do?

• Lead the development and delivery of Council's Zero Harm strategy and framework.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on health, safety and wellbeing matters across the organisation.
• Ensure compliance with legislative requirements and industry best practice.
• Drive continuous improvement through risk management, assurance activities and incident investigations.
• Coach and support leaders to build a strong and sustainable safety culture.
• Lead and develop the Zero Harm team, fostering high performance and continuous learning.
• Monitor and report on health, safety and wellbeing performance and trends.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with regulators, industry bodies and key stakeholders.
• Champion initiatives that support the health, wellbeing and resilience of our people.

What will I bring?

• Extensive experience in a senior health, safety and wellbeing leadership role.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in Health & Safety, Risk Management or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand health and safety legislation and best practice.
• Proven experience developing and implementing organisational health and safety strategies.
• Exceptional leadership, relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Experience leading change and fostering a positive safety culture.
• Strong analytical, risk management and problem-solving capabilities.
• A people-focused approach with the ability to engage and communicate effectively at all levels.

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 our capabilities and helping us deliver even better outcomes for our communities.

As Safety Manager, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact across the entire organisation, helping our people thrive while ensuring health, safety and wellbeing remain at the forefront of every decision we make.

You'll be joining a collaborative, supportive and purpose-driven team that genuinely cares about making a difference for our communities and for each other.

Additional Information

Salary circa $140K 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.

Reference # 39831

Posted on 19 Oct 2026

Closes on 02 Nov 2026 00:00

Location(s) Ngaaruawaahia

Expertise Human Resources, Recruitment and Health & Safety