Senior Advisor, People

Civil Aviation Authority of NZ; Wellington; On-site; NZD 116,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Sick leave entitlements from day 1

Ten days Domestic leave annually

Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to

Vision assistance

Flu Vaccinations

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority of NZ is seeking a Senior Advisor, People to join our People and Capability team in Wellington. You will be a seasoned HR generalist partnering with leaders, advising on employment relations, performance, remuneration, and change initiatives throughout the employee lifecycle.

You will lead and mentor Advisors, drive strategic and operational people outcomes, and contribute to a culture of professionalism, integrity and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Significant experience partnering with leaders within a complex organisation to influence decision‑making and deliver strategic and operational people outcomes.
• Strong working knowledge of employment relations and New Zealand employment legislation.
• Ability to provide clear, practical, and solutions‑focused advice to managers and leaders.
• Proven experience leading or supporting complex ER matters, organisational change initiatives, and people projects that deliver measurable organisational outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with managers and provide coaching on people leadership and management.
• Deliver trusted advice across employment relations, performance, development, remuneration, change management, culture and engagement.
• Collaborate with the wider People and Capability team to deliver integrated, best‑practice people solutions.
• Mentor and guide Advisors to grow capability.
• Lead and contribute to HR projects and initiatives across the employee lifecycle.

Skills

HR generalist

Employment relations

Change management

Leadership coaching

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. At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don't just keep New Zealand's skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation.

About the role

As Senior Advisor, People, you will be a seasoned HR generalist with broad experience across the employee lifecycle. You will partner closely with leaders, provide expert employment relations advice, support organisational change, and contribute to people initiatives that strengthen organisational capability and performance.

Key responsibilities

Build strong, collaborative relationships with managers and provide coaching and support on people leadership and management. Deliver trusted advice across a wide range of People matters — including employment relations, performance, development, remuneration, change management, culture and engagement. Collaborate with the wider People and Capability team to deliver integrated, best-practice people solutions. Mentor and guide Advisors to grow capability. Lead and contribute to HR projects and initiatives across the employee lifecycle.

What You'll Bring

We are looking for a confident, credible and experienced HR professional who combines strong technical knowledge with strong relationship and coaching skills. You will bring: Significant experience partnering with leaders within a complex organisation to influence decision-making and deliver strategic and operational people outcomes — including employment relations, performance, development, remuneration, change management, culture and engagement. Strong working knowledge of employment relations and New Zealand employment legislation. The ability to provide clear, practical, and solutions-focused advice to managers and leaders. Proven experience leading or supporting complex ER matters, organisational change initiatives, and people projects that deliver measurable organisational outcomes. Strong influencing and communication skills, with the ability to build trust quickly.

The salary range for this role is $115,536 to $141,751 per annum. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

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 diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.

Why join us?

• 5 weeks annual leave, with an additional 2 days after five years of continuous service
• Sick leave entitlements from day 1
• Ten days Domestic leave annually
• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Flu Vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

Applications close: Monday, 26 October 2026 (11:59 pm)