Technical Lead, Safety

WorkSafe New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 153,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free life insurance

Health insurance and eyecare discounts

Five weeks' annual leave

15 days' sick leave

Reward and Recognition Framework

Employee‑led networks

Job summary

WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa is seeking a Technical Lead to guide a specialist advisory team in a high‑risk domain. You will ensure high‑quality technical advice, develop standards and methodologies, and support regulatory and operational decisions.

You will lead coaching and capability development while maintaining clear technical standards and credibility across the advisory practice. Experience across health and safety or related sectors is valuable.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a specialist technical advisory team in high‑risk environments.
• Ability to develop and apply technical standards and advisory methodologies.
• Strong regulatory and operational decision‑making experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a specialist technical advisory team within a defined domain.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance for complex technical advice.
• Develop technical standards, guidance and advisory methodologies.
• Coach and develop technical specialists to build capability.
• Support high‑quality regulatory and operational decision‑making.
• Identify emerging risks, trends and technical issues.
• Translate complex technical matters into practical recommendations.
• Strengthen consistency and quality across technical advisory practice.

Skills

Technical leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Coaching

Quality assurance

Risk assessment

Communication

Team development

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• Lead a specialist technical advisory team in a high-impact domain
• Shape technical standards, quality assurance and advisory practice
• Permanent opportunity | Wellington preferred | Other locations considered

About Us

WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa is the primary workplace health and safety regulator. Our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi comes home healthy and safe. We live by our values.

• Whakakotahi we are united in a strong purpose
• Tiakina mai we are entrusted with a duty of care

Technical Advisory sits within WorkSafe's Operations group and provides specialist technical advice that supports regulatory decision‑making, operational delivery and organisational priorities.

You will lead a team of between four and nine highly skilled technical specialists within a defined domain. The team provides expert advice in complex and often high‑risk environments, helping ensure regulatory decisions and interventions are robust, evidence‑based and defensible.

About the role / Ō te tūranga

As Technical Lead, you will provide both people leadership and technical leadership to a specialist advisory team, ensuring high‑quality technical advice is delivered consistently across WorkSafe.

You will oversee complex and high‑risk technical matters, provide quality assurance and professional guidance, and ensure your team operates within clear technical standards and expectations. The role combines leadership, coaching and operational responsibility with hands‑on involvement in complex technical issues where expert judgement and credibility are critical.

This position will suit someone who enjoys developing technical specialists, creating clarity in complex environments and translating technical expertise into practical recommendations that support regulatory delivery. Whether your background comes from health and safety, engineering, hazardous substances, science, compliance, infrastructure, environmental regulation or another specialist field, your ability to lead people and ensure consistent technical practice will be key to success.

What You'll Do / Ko tōu ake mahi

• Lead a specialist technical advisory team within a defined domain
• Provide oversight and quality assurance for complex technical advice
• Develop technical standards, guidance and advisory methodologies
• Coach and develop technical specialists to build capability
• Support high‑quality regulatory and operational decision‑making
• Identify emerging risks, trends and technical issues
• Translate complex technical matters into practical recommendations
• Strengthen consistency and quality across technical advisory practice
• Experience leading or coaching specialist technical professionals
• Experience providing technical advice in complex or high‑risk environments
• Strong technical judgement and decision‑making capability
• Experience developing standards, frameworks or technical guidance
• Ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences
• People leadership, coaching and capability‑building skills

Experience within a regulatory environment would be advantageous, particularly in health and safety or a related sector. Knowledge of New Zealand regulatory frameworks and experience supporting organisational improvement initiatives would also be valuable.

Salary range / Awhe utu

The expected appointment base salary range for this role is $152,761 - $168,932. KiwiSaver or SSRSS employer contributions are additional. From 1 April 2026, our KiwiSaver employer contribution increased to 3.5%.

We offer a range of benefits including:

• Free life insurance for the duration of your employment
• Health insurance and eyecare discounts
• Five weeks' annual leave
• 15 days' sick leave
• A Reward and Recognition Framework that celebrates the impact our kaimahi make
• Employee‑led networks supporting our diverse communities

WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent.

We believe different perspectives strengthen our mahi and help create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

If you encounter accessibility barriers in completing the application or require adjustments or support to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you, contact ********@inside.co.nz for a confidential kōrero.

This vacancy has been established as part of changes to WorkSafe's organisational structure after a review of WorkSafe's operating model identified opportunities to improve role clarity, ways of working and organisational effectiveness. As part of these changes, WorkSafe has established a number of new roles to ensure we are well placed to meet expectations now and in the future.