Major Project H&S Lead

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders.

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations, from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities.

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

As Health and Safety Lead – Major Projects, you will provide specialist oversight and practical advice across a portfolio of major capital projects. Reporting to the National Manager Infrastructure Health & Safety you will work with project teams, contractors and consultants to ensure health and safety expectations are understood and applied from planning and design through to construction, commissioning and handover.

You will focus on the risks that matter most: high-risk work, critical controls and the complex interfaces between construction activity and live healthcare services. You will help project teams apply Critical Risk Standards and Safe Systems of Work, verify that controls are effective on site, and address emerging risks as projects change.

You will also oversee assurance and reporting across your portfolio, drawing together findings from audits, incidents and contractor monitoring. By identifying trends, following actions through to completion and sharing lessons between projects, you will give leaders a clear picture of risk and help improve how future work is delivered.

About the Team/Service/Location

The Infrastructure and Investment Group (IIG) delivers infrastructure investment that supports New Zealand's health system. Safe, fit-for-purpose facilities and equipment are essential to the care provided in our hospitals and communities.

You will be part of the national IIG Health and Safety team, working closely with the other Major Projects Health and Safety Lead, regional teams and project delivery leaders. The role covers major projects across the Northern and Te Manawa Taki Regions and involves working with a broad range of clinical, operational, technical and contractor stakeholders.

About you

You are an experienced health and safety professional who understands the full lifecycle of major construction or infrastructure projects. You know how to engage early, ask useful questions and turn complex requirements into practical controls that work on site.

You build credible relationships with project managers, designers, contractors and senior leaders. You are comfortable challenging a proposed approach, escalating serious risks and helping others take ownership of the risks created by their work. You can balance the demands of several projects while maintaining a clear view of assurance findings, actions and emerging trends.

You will bring:

• A relevant qualification in health and safety, risk management, engineering, construction management or a related discipline, supported by significant experience in high-risk environments.

• Substantial health and safety experience in construction, including verticall infrastructure works, and leadership experience across large-scale construction, infrastructure, property, engineering or comparable programmes.

• Experience supporting major capital projects through planning, design, construction, commissioning and handover.

• Strong working knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, including overlapping PCBU duties and the management of contractor interfaces.

• Demonstrated experience implementing and verifying critical risk controls and Safe Systems of Work.

• Experience in contractor due diligence, prequalification, performance monitoring and health and safety assurance.

• The ability to interpret audit findings, incident information and project reports, identify trends and recommend clear actions.

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to give practical advice and escalate material risks.

• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to equitable outcomes for Māori.

• Professional membership or certification, such as ProfNZISM, HASANZ registration, a NEBOSH Diploma or ISO 45001 Lead Auditor qualification, would be an advantage.

• Experience in healthcare, the public sector or another complex operating environment would also be valuable.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and serve our community.

How to Apply

To apply, please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal by 29th October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Shannon Elder at shannon.elder@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz.

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process before the closing date of this advert.