At Napier City Council, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We're looking for an experienced Health & Safety Operations Manager to help create a workplace where our people, contractors and visitors can work safely and confidently every day.

Working alongside leaders, teams and contractors, you'll champion practical health and safety solutions, strengthen our safety culture, and help ensure health and safety is simply part of how we work. This is a hands-on operational leadership role where you'll provide expert advice, coaching and guidance, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure Council continues to meet its legislative obligations while striving for best practice.

You'll join our collaborative People & Capability team, where we partner with leaders across the organisation to support our people and create positive workplace experiences. Together, we're committed to building a culture where safety, wellbeing and continuous improvement go hand in hand.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

This is an influential operational leadership role where you'll combine technical expertise with people leadership to strengthen health and safety performance across Council. You'll work closely with leaders and teams, using your experience to coach, influence and support practical solutions that make a real difference.

As our Health & Safety Operations Manager, you will:

• Lead and develop a high-performing Health & Safety team that delivers practical, customer-focused support across Council.

• Provide expert operational advice, coaching and guidance to leaders, teams and contractors on health and safety matters.

• Lead the ongoing development and continuous improvement of Council's Safety Management System and associated frameworks.

• Ensure Council meets its health and safety obligations through effective systems, monitoring, reporting and compliance.

• Support and lead incident, hazard and near-miss investigations, ensuring meaningful learning and continuous improvement.

• Champion a proactive reporting culture where health and safety conversations are encouraged, supported and acted upon.

• Drive contractor health and safety performance, including contractor engagement, audits and risk management.

• Analyse health and safety data and provide meaningful reporting and insights to the Chief People Officer and leadership.

• Build organisational capability through coaching, facilitation and practical health and safety education.

• Lead operational initiatives that strengthen Council's health and safety culture and drive continuous improvement.

He kōrero mōhou - About You

You'll be a practical and approachable leader who enjoys building trusted relationships and influencing positive outcomes. You're confident working alongside operational teams and senior leaders alike, providing advice that is pragmatic, balanced and solutions focused.

You enjoy being visible across the organisation, partnering with people to identify opportunities, solve problems and continuously improve the way health and safety is embedded into everyday work.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• A relevant Health & Safety qualification (NZQA Level 6 or equivalent) or comparable industry experience.

• At least five years' operational experience in a Health & Safety leadership or senior advisory role.

• Experience leading, developing and mentoring high-performing teams.

• Strong working knowledge of New Zealand health and safety legislation and best practice.

• Proven ability to build credibility and influence stakeholders at all levels of an organisation.

• Excellent communication, facilitation and coaching skills.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills with a continuous improvement mindset

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

• 5 weeks' annual leave after 2 years service

• Discounted health insurance work scheme + Eye test subsidy

• Retailer discounts + study assistance

• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)

• Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club

• Free flu vaccinations (annual)

• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka

• Te Reo Māori language classes

This is a permanent, full time opportunity working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You will be based in Napier.

The annual salary package for this role is $123,817 - $138,383 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person.

He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.

Please visit Napier City Council Careers website to see full job description

Job Description – Health & Safety Operations Manager