Team Lead Health Safety and Security

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai, Auckland, is seeking a Team Lead for Health, Safety and Security to guide a skilled group of professionals across H&S and security programs. You will lead, coach and influence leaders to embed risk-informed practices while strengthening capability across diverse operational environments.

You will drive risk management, assurance and improvement, providing high-quality advisory support to senior leaders and partners, with flexible work options and

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a senior health and safety practitioner, including leadership of people and programmes.
• A relevant health and safety qualification and strong knowledge of HSWA 2015 and associated regulations.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing, geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience leading critical risk management, assurance and organisational improvement programmes.
• Strong coaching, mentoring and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Experience influencing senior leaders and driving positive organisational outcomes.
• Understanding of operational and protective security principles.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication and relationship management skills.
• Full NZ drivers licence and ability to travel for work as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of health, safety and security professionals delivering advisory and partnering services across DOC.
• Drive delivery of critical risk management, assurance, verification and improvement programmes.
• Build organisational capability through coaching, learning initiatives and leadership engagement.
• Provide oversight of operational security programmes and ensure alignment with broader organisational risk management approaches.
• Partner with leaders, workers, regulators and external stakeholders to strengthen organisational performance and culture.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching

Risk management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Travel (NZ)

People leadership

Education

Relevant HS&W qualification

Job description

Team Lead - Health Safety and Security Lead

a high-performing team that helps DOC manage critical risks, build organisational capability and keep our people safe while delivering for nature.

Salary: $110,033.00 - $145,000.00.

Contract: Permanent full-time.

Preferred locations: Auckland, Hamilton or Rotorua. Flexible work location options across Aotearoa.

Our vision

Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa DOC is strengthening its Health, Safety and Security function to better support our people, manage critical risks, and build organisational resilience with a risk-informed and people-centred approach that focuses on learning, prevention, system stewardship, and partnership. These roles offer a unique opportunity to help shape how DOC supports its people, safeguards its operations, and delivers conservation outcomes across Aotearoa.

About the role

This is an opportunity to lead a team of experienced health, safety and security professionals supporting one of Aotearoa’s most diverse operational environments. You'll play a critical role in strengthening organisational capability, embedding effective risk management practices, and ensuring leaders have access to high-quality advice and support.

• Lead and develop a team of health, safety and security professionals delivering advisory and partnering services across DOC
• Drive delivery of critical risk management, assurance, verification and improvement programmes
• Build organisational capability through coaching, learning initiatives and leadership engagement
• Provide oversight of operational security programmes and ensure alignment with broader organisational risk management approaches
• Partner with leaders, workers, regulators and external stakeholders to strengthen organisational performance and culture

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako

• Significant experience as a senior health and safety practitioner, including leadership of people and programmes
• A relevant health and safety qualification and strong knowledge of HSWA 2015 and associated regulations
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing, geographically dispersed teams
• Experience leading critical risk management, assurance and organisational improvement programmes
• Strong coaching, mentoring and stakeholder engagement capability
• Experience influencing senior leaders and driving positive organisational outcomes
• Understanding of operational and protective security principles
• Strong strategic thinking, communication and relationship management skills
• Full NZ drivers licence and ability to travel for work as required

What’s in it for you?

• DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow.
• We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.
• We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Eligibility

You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Application deadline

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026.

Contact

For further enquiries, please contact Emily Blokker, Senior Recruitment Advisor [e-mail]

The Department of Conservation

The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles.