Chief Health, Safety and Wellbeing Officer
Robert Walters
A national opportunity to shape a complex operating environment, the Chief Health, Safety and Wellbeing Officer will lead a future-focused HSW strategy with high organisaitonal visiblity. This role will have direct influence wiht the Cheif Execuitve and Executive Leadership Team.
At Ara Poutama Aotearoa – Department of Corrections, the health, safety and wellbeing of our people is not just a responsibility, it is central to our purpose. This role will make an impact across a complex and high-risk environment with real social purpose by creating a learning-centred safety culture that focuses on continuous improvement, building resilience and values human and organisational performance.
This is an opportunity to influence change at the highest level and drive meaningful, long-term transformation across an operationally diverse environment.
Why this role?
This is a pivotal leadership position in the Organisational Resilience & Safety Group, established to support the Department’s strategic move toward a more integrated, people-centred approach to health, safety and wellbeing (HSW). You will be leading a journey that puts people first, drives prevention, and strengthens the systems that keep our teams and those in our care safe.
As the Chief Health, Safety and Wellbeing Officer, you will influence organisational direction and partner closely with the Executive Leadership Team, including direct engagement with the Chief Executive, to shape systems and culture across the business.
About the Role
As Chief Health, Safety & Wellbeing Officer, you will:
- Lead the development and implementation of a system-wide, four-year HSW strategy grounded in preventative, risk-based and resilience-focused principles.
- Design and embed an organisation-wide policy and practice framework that reflects both legislative requirements and the lived realities of our workforce.
- Provide strategic advice directly to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team, contributing to the organisation’s broader goals of resilience and cultural maturity.
- Partner closely with the Director Business Partnering HSW to ensure strong, connected leadership across the organisation.
- Embed a learning culture that values continuous improvement and is grounded in understanding how work is actually carried out operationally, not just how it’s assumed to occur, to ensure safety systems and practices are practical, relevant, and effective.
- Influence cultural change, making safety personal, practical and people-first
The Ideal Candidate
You will bring strong leadership capability and a solid understanding of the complexities involved in driving health, safety and wellbeing in high-risk, multi-site operational environments—whether gained through senior leadership experience or through significant influence in strategic safety roles. You have:
- A tertiary qualification in a relevant HSW discipline and extensive experience in health, safety and wellbeing leadership at a national or enterprise level.
- Strong systems thinking, and the ability to embed sustainable frameworks across diverse operational environments
- Proven success in leading change and designing for real-world outcomes
- Experience working in or with complex, high-risk organisations
- Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines and functions, and a commitment to equity, inclusion and wellbeing.
- A deep appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the importance of equity-led design and delivery.
This role is positioned within the Organisational Resilience & Safety (OR&S) group and reports to the Director Integrated Systems, while actively engaging with the Chief Executive and key operational leaders. It is a key member of the OR&S leadership team and works closely with other strategic leaders.
Why Ara Poutama Aotearoa?
Ara Poutama Aotearoa is committed to long-term, system-wide improvement. Safety and wellbeing is a core organisational value, and this role is central to delivering on that commitment. You’ll be joining a purpose-driven organisation committed to long-term change, working alongside dedicated colleagues who believe in making a difference.
Applications close the 30th of May 2025.
Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence within this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Gabriella Vettoretti on 04 471 9711.
