Manager, Health and Safety

Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

 About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

• Manager Health and Safety, New Zealand School Property Agency | Flexible location

This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape health, safety and wellbeing across the New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA). You will lead a team of five and provide practical, trusted advice to executive leaders, helping ensure our people, visitors, schools and delivery partners are safe and that NZSPA meets its workplace and property delivery obligations.

You will lead the development and continuous improvement of NZSPA’s health and safety strategy, systems, operational practices and organisational capability. A key focus will be making sure responsibilities between schools, contractors and NZSPA staff are clearly established and understood on every project, including who is the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking and whether each party has the capability and capacity to meet its responsibilities.

In this role, you will:

• lead, support and develop an engaged health and safety team that delivers high-quality advice
• advise executive leadership and the Board on critical risks, incidents, trends and appropriate interventions
• oversee the Health and Safety Risk Register, performance monitoring and implementation of risk controls
• manage internal and external providers and ensure appropriate due diligence for consultants and contractors
• lift health and safety maturity across school property by applying current good practice and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Salary range: $142,856.00  - $214,284.00 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

You will be an experienced, credible health and safety leader who can work confidently with executives, the Board, people leaders, schools, contractors and technical specialists. You will combine sound judgement and a practical, risk-focused approach with the ability to communicate difficult messages, constructively challenge others and make timely decisions in the long-term interests of the organisation and its stakeholders.

You will bring inclusive people leadership, resilience and a strong focus on delivery. You will be curious and open to different perspectives, able to build trusted relationships and skilled at supporting others through change.

You will also offer:

• a relevant tertiary qualification, with an H&S Diploma-level qualification or NEBOSH certification highly desirable
• proven experience leading teams and building a safe, open, inclusive and responsive culture
• comprehensive knowledge of workplace health and safety management systems and the practical application of legislation, regulations, codes of practice and standards
• experience developing workplans aligned with organisational strategy and embedding change that delivers intended outcomes
• experience with process control design and assessment, and compliance frameworks and standards for Crown entities
• excellent communication, coaching and relationship management skills, together with sound knowledge of government and public sector processes
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

You will join NZSPA at an important stage in its development, with the opportunity to establish trusted partnerships, influence organisation-wide practice and strengthen health and safety outcomes across a nationally significant school property portfolio. The role offers a flexible location and the chance to lead work with a direct impact on people and communities throughout Aotearoa.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The New Zealand School Property Agency will be a standalone Crown entity responsible for planning, building, maintaining and administering New Zealand’s school property portfolio. The portfolio is valued at more than $30 billion and spans Aotearoa, with school property often forming a central part of local communities. NZSPA works with schools, the Ministry, Ministers, delivery partners and communities to provide property solutions.

 Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

 If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

 For further information, please contact Trent Witton, General Manager, School Property Enablement, Trent.Witton@education.govt.nz

 Applications close:  Midnight, Monday 24th August 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.