Technical Lead, Safety

Inside Holdings; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 152,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free life insurance

Health insurance and eyecare discounts

Home workstation contribution

Five weeks’ annual leave

15 days’ sick leave

Reward and Recognition Framework

Professional development opportunities

Employee-led networks

Job summary

WorkSafe New Zealand in Wellington seeks a Technical Lead to provide people and technical leadership to a specialist advisory team. You will ensure high-quality technical advice across complex, high-risk matters, shaping standards and guidance while coaching engineers, scientists and regulatory professionals.

The role sits in WorkSafe's Operations group, with responsibility for delivering robust regulatory decisions and practical recommendations that support regulatory delivery and

Qualifications

• 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.

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

Team leadership

Technical advisory

Regulatory experience

Technical guidance

Communication skills

Coaching capability

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.

Inside Holdings – Wellington, North Island

• 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

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

• 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

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Hello, Kia ora, Noa’ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, Kia orana, nǐ hǎo, Kamusta.

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
• Kōrero mai– we engage meaningfully
• Tiakina mai– we are entrusted with a duty of care

About your team / Ko te tīma

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

What You'll Bring / Ko ngā pukenga ōu

• 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.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.

Salary range / Awhe utu

The expected appointment base salary for this role is $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
• $400 home workstation contribution
• Five weeks’ annual leave
• 15 days’ sick leave
• A Reward and Recognition Framework that celebrates the impact our kaimahi make
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee-led networks supporting our diverse communities

Location

Wellington preferred, however there is the ability to work across WorkSafe locations for the right candidate. The role will require strong collaboration with colleagues across the country and the wider regulatory system.

Applications close: 5pm, 17th September, 2026

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.