Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager - Wellington
Te tūnga | The role
This is a critical leadership role where you will bring sharp strategic thinking, strong facilitation skills, and the confidence to work with senior executives to define and drive HSW priorities.
The Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager leads a small team of health and safety practitioners to support the organisation’s commitment to providing a healthy and safe working environment for all employees, clients, contractors and visitors to the workplace.
This position is responsible for ensuring ESR maintains a healthy and safe work environment as indicated by acceptable industry practices and in compliance with legislative requirements through the development, deployment and continuous improvement of the organisation’s health and safety management system. In addition, this role will ensure that external consultants and suppliers are engaged effectively and delivering to the broader programme of work.
This responsibility also extends to facilitating and providing as is appropriate all practical managed care support and rehabilitation necessary for injured employees through return-to-work programmes. This position is an integral member of the People & Culture leadership team and as such is required to work with other managers and employees in an integrated, co-ordinated and efficient manner.
In this role you will be involved in:
Oversee and evolve the Health, Safety and Wellbeing strategy.
Drive continuous improvement and embedding a proactive safety culture across all levels.
Provide expert advice and influencing at the executive level.
Lead the delivery of key initiatives, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
Facilitate engagement with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and holding the business to account in progressing the workplan.
Manage relationships with external consultants and supporting safe systems of work.
Mentor and support direct reports.
The Health & Safety team are based across Aotearoa and we are open to receiving applications from Pōneke or Ōtautahi.
Kia angitu koe | About you
To be successful in this role, you will have the following:
Confidently facilitate strategic sessions and ELT discussions.
Drive delivery of HSW outcomes across multiple functions.
Be respectfully disruptive - challenging norms and pushing boundaries to embed positive change.
Lead with empathy, resilience and professionalism.
Demonstrate sound knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation and systems.
Offer proven experience in injury management and return-to-work programmes.
Coach and support your team and leaders with integrity and strength.
Ngā painga | The benefits
Flexible working options to support balancing work and non-work commitments.
Four weeks annual leave, plus two additional annual leave days and three additional ESR days (usually the three days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve)
15 days sick leave and service leave provisions after five years
Annual volunteer day to support an organisation or issue you care about in the community.
Free annual flu vaccinations
Life insurance and physical loss benefit
Subsidised Southern Cross insurance & access to special retail discounts.
Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a confidential and free counselling service.
Mō mātou | About Us
Established in 1992, ESR is New Zealand’s Crown Research Institute specialising in science that safeguards the health and wellbeing of Aotearoa’s people and natural environment.
With 4 locations across Aotearoa New Zealand from Auckland to Christchurch and Wellington (Kenepuru and Wallaceville), we use world-leading science to monitor disease, test food and products, safeguard our water, and support the justice sector. By joining forces with experts and iwi, we’re tackling critical issues to ensure a better Aotearoa New Zealand for all.
We are an accredited Living Wage employer and value our people, providing excellent environment for fostering and developing our people in a values-driven, flexible, and ever evolving landscape. We are committed to sustainability and are proud to have received our Toitū Carbonreduce Certification.
Tono mai | Apply Now
We encourage applications from those with an understanding of or a willingness to develop their capability in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Māori, and/or te reo Māori.
If you would like to request a full position description, please get in touch with esr.recruitment@esr.cri.nz
Applications close Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Click apply to submit your application. Please ensure you upload a cover letter and CV, outlining your interest and relevant skills for this opportunity.
We will be back in touch once advertising closes and applications have been reviewed.
ESR is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Your unique talents and experience will help us deliver exceptional services to New Zealand. We look forward to your application.
If you don't meet every requirement in this position description, please don't exclude yourself. Studies indicate that women and other individuals from under-represented groups often only apply when they satisfy all the criteria. We focus on recruiting individuals who share our core values of Mahi Rangatira (Our quality counts), Mahi tahi (our team spirit), Mahi Auaha (we push boundaries), Mahi Pono (we do the right thing). If these values resonate with you, we encourage you to submit your application.
ESR is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, equitable workplace where people feel they belong. We believe this is the right thing to do, but we also believe it is a worthwhile commitment that makes our organisation stronger and more capable through building on our diversity of thinking, enabling us to better understand the needs of our stakeholders and people and respond effectively to them. An inclusive environment means the diverse perspectives we have are more likely to be expressed, heard, and acted on.
Please note the successful applicant will be required to complete a pre-employment drug-screen and police records check as conditions of employment.
Applications Close: 14 May 2025
