Visitor Safety and Standards Manager

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Wellington; Remote; NZD 145,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Department of Conservation in New Zealand seeks a proven leader to head the national centre for visitor safety and standards. You will drive policy, risk management and governance across Aotearoa’s conservation estate, while guiding a dispersed team and engaging with government partners to improve safety outcomes for visitors and communities.

The role offers flexible location options across Aotearoa and requires strong strategic leadership with a focus on evidence-based decision making and

Qualifications

• Experience leading cross‑agency or cross‑sector initiatives.
• Strong ability to influence senior leaders and translate complex risk into action.
• Proven track record building high‑performing technical or specialist teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the national centre of expertise for visitor safety, natural hazards and visitor standards.
• Oversee systems, standards, policies, tools and assurance processes.
• Drive measurable safety outcomes through evidence, research and data-informed decisions.
• Provide governance and assurance on safety performance and incidents.
• Build sector-wide collaboration with government, tourism and emergency management partners.

Skills

Systems leadership

Strategic influence

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Risk management

Policy development

Data-informed decision making

Job description

Shape how millions of visitors safely experience Aotearoa’s most iconic conservation places Lead DOC’s national centre of expertise for visitor safety, natural hazards and visitor standards Permanent, full-time role with flexible work location options across Aotearoa Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa He angitūtanga |

About the role

Visitor safety is fundamental to DOC's role as a provider of recreation and tourism experiences across Aotearoa's conservation estate. The Visitor Safety and Standards team provides national leadership for visitor safety, natural hazard risk management and visitor standards, helping ensure people can safely connect with New Zealand's most iconic natural places. As Visitor Safety and Standards Manager, you will lead DOC's national centre of expertise for visitor safety, overseeing the systems, standards and specialist capability that support consistent, evidence-based decision-making across the organisation. Leading a high-performing, geographically dispersed team, you will drive strategic improvements in visitor safety performance, strengthen governance and assurance, and help DOC respond to emerging risks and changing visitor needs. This is a highly influential leadership role, working across operational, executive and sector environments. You will partner with senior leaders and key stakeholders to shape national policy, guide investment decisions, and build strong relationships across government, tourism, outdoor recreation, emergency management and natural hazards sectors to deliver better safety outcomes for visitors and communities. The position will be focused on:

• Leading system stewardship and performance, strengthening visitor safety frameworks, standards, policies, tools and assurance processes.
• Advancing natural hazard risk management, providing organisational leadership across landslide, volcanic, geothermal, avalanche, tsunami and other emerging risks.
• Driving measurable safety outcomes through evidence-based initiatives, innovation, research, technology and data-informed decision making.
• Providing governance and assurance leadership, including oversight of safety performance, significant incidents, investigations and coronial matters.
• Influencing organisational decision-making, partnering with senior leaders to translate complex risk issues into coordinated action and investment priorities.
• Building sector-wide collaboration, leading relationships and initiatives across government, local authorities, tourism, outdoor recreation, land safety and emergency management partners.
• Leading and developing a high-performing national team, fostering specialist capability, collaboration and continuous improvement across a geographically dispersed workforce.
• Support and advise regional operations teams on specialist visitor safety and standards.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You will be an experienced and credible systems leader who is comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels. You will have the ability to navigate complexity, influence across organisational boundaries and bring people together to achieve shared outcomes. You will combine strong leadership capability with sound judgement, curiosity and a commitment to continual improvement. Most importantly, you will understand how strong systems, trusted relationships and capable people work together to create lasting organisational impact.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | 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.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.

• Experience in visitor safety, public safety, tourism, outdoor recreation, natural hazards, infrastructure, asset management or a related safety-critical sector.
• Knowledge of New Zealand's natural hazards environment and land safety sector.
• Significant leadership experience building and developing high-performing technical or specialist teams.
• Experience providing strategic advice to senior leaders and influencing decision-making in publicly accountable, complex or safety-critical organisations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership skills, with a track record of delivering outcomes across agencies, sectors and diverse interest groups.
• Experience operating in complex and ambiguous environments, balancing competing priorities and delivering results through influence and collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to apply evidence, research, data, technology or emerging trends to improve organisational performance and business outcomes.
• Experience preparing executive-level advice, governance reporting and strategic briefings.
• A current full New Zealand driver licence.

Salary: $145,350.00 - $188,100.00 depending on skills and experience.

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

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday 13 November. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly.

For further enquiries about this role, please contact Annie Colebrook at [e-mail].

Please note, we’re unable to accept applications via email or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

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. Read more about DOC