Change Manager

At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don’t just keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation.

• Lead the people side of change for a significant organisation-wide transformation programme.
• Partner with leaders to build change capability and support the successful adoption of new ways of working.
• Help deliver lasting change that will shape the future of CAA and the aviation sector.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Change Manager to join our Business Transformation Programme on a fixed-term basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead change across a portfolio of transformation initiatives that will modernise how CAA operates and delivers services. Working closely with programme teams, leaders, and stakeholders, you'll help ensure people are ready for, adopt, and sustain the changes delivered through the programme.

You’ll be a trusted advisor to executives, senior leaders, people leaders, and project teams, providing expert guidance on change impacts, readiness, stakeholder engagement, communication, adoption, and benefits realisation.

This role is ideal for someone who combines strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach and is passionate about helping people successfully navigate change in complex environments.

About the Business Transformation Programme

This is your opportunity to get in at the start.

We are building a team to deliver a significant transformation that will shape the future of the organisation and the aviation sector. With strong executive support and a clear mandate for change, this is an opportunity to work on genuine transformation — not simply improve existing processes or deliver business as usual.

These roles are initially offered on a one-year fixed-term basis while the business case progresses through approval. We recognise that means taking a degree of risk. But for the right person, it is also a chance to get involved at the point where the programme is being shaped, make a meaningful contribution and work on a transformation that is genuinely important.

If you are motivated by complex change and want to help build something significant, this is the time to get involved.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement change management strategies and plans across multiple projects and workstreams.
• Partner with executives, senior leaders, and people leaders to build change leadership capability and support successful adoption of change.
• Assess change impacts across the organisation and external stakeholders, identifying risks, barriers, and readiness requirements.
• Lead stakeholder engagement, change readiness, communication, training, and adoption activities.
• Support operational teams to embed new ways of working and sustain change outcomes.
• Work closely with project managers to integrate change management activities into delivery plans.
• Monitor adoption, readiness, and benefits realisation, providing regular reporting and insights.
• Support engagement and adoption of regulatory and service changes delivered through the programme.
• Establish and promote change management standards, tools, and best practices across the programme.

The salary band for this role is $136,939 - $168,191. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

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

What You'll Bring

If you're an experienced change professional who thrives in complex environments and enjoys helping people successfully navigate transformation, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on an organisation-wide programme of change.

To succeed in this role you'll demonstrate:

• Significant experience leading change management within large-scale transformation programmes.
• Proven ability to influence executives, senior leaders, and operational teams.
• Experience delivering organisational and business change across multiple projects or workstreams simultaneously.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, coaching, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing change strategies, plans, and adoption activities.
• Strong understanding of recognised change management methodologies and best practice.
• Experience assessing change impacts, organisational readiness, and adoption risks.
• The ability to work strategically while remaining hands-on and delivery focused.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to build credibility quickly across a wide range of stakeholders.

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 fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and valued. Our people are central to our success.

Why Join Us?

• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

Ready to Apply?

If you're passionate about organisational change, stakeholder engagement, and helping people adapt to new ways of working, we'd love to hear from you.

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 your experience leading change within complex programmes or transformation initiatives and explain how your skills align with the requirements of 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, contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@caa.govt.nz.

Applications close: 20 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.