Senior Advisor, Health and Safety

• Influence leaders and drive meaningful organisational change
• Trusted advisor role with a strong coaching and capability building focus
• Christchurch or Queenstown location

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Advisor, Health and Safety, following the evolution of the role to better support CAA’s increasing focus on proactive, risk-based health, safety and wellbeing practices. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence how safety is shaped across the organisation. 

You will lead key initiatives that strengthen organisational capability, enhance systems and practices, and embed a strong safety culture.

This is a high-impact role where your success will come from your ability to influence, coach and challenge leaders at all levels of the organisation. You'll work alongside leaders to strengthen health and safety capability, navigate complex issues and drive meaningful change.

As a trusted advisor, you'll build credibility through practical, risk-based advice that considers operational realities and supports sustainable outcomes. Your ability to communicate effectively, build strong relationships, and influence without direct authority will be critical to achieving success in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing strategic, evidence-based advice on all aspects of health and safety
• Coaching, influencing and constructively challenging leaders to strengthen health and safety capability and accountability
• With support, leading the design, delivery and evaluation of strategic H&S initiatives, providing expert guidance to align H&S priorities with organisational objectives
• Leading the management of incident investigations
• Using data, insights, and reporting to influence organisational decision-making and cultural change
• Facilitating workshops, training, and communications that engage and build capability at all levels

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

What You’ll Bring

First and most importantly, we’re interested in you - the relationships you build; the way you go about things, and the impact you make. 

We're looking for an experienced health and safety professional who can confidently partner with leaders and teams to deliver meaningful, sustainable change. To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Deep understanding of NZ health and safety legislation, standards, and best practice
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coach and respectfully challenge leaders at all levels, including on complex or sensitive matters
• Strong stakeholder engagement capabilities, with a track record of building, nurturing and maintaining trusted relationships
• Experience designing or refining health and safety management systems in large or complex environments
• Strong analytical, communication, and coaching skills
• Full NZ drivers’ licence is essential
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in health and safety, including 2+ years in a senior advisory capacity
• Tertiary or postgraduate qualification in Health and Safety (is desirable)

For more information on the role please view the position description.

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.

Ready to Apply?

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the skills required for this role.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@caa.govt.nz

Applications close: Sunday 2 August 2026

Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.