Principal Advisor Authorisations and Advisory

• Support key relationships with industry and regulatory partners
• Member of the Authorisation & Advisory Leadership Team
• Deliver critical work that improves outcomes for New Zealanders

WorkSafe New Zealand/Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa is New Zealand's primary work health and safety regulator. Our role is to influence businesses to meet their health and safety responsibilities and hold them to account when they do not. We are committed to reducing harm and improving outcomes for workers and workplaces across Aotearoa. 


About the role 
Reporting to the Head of Authorisations and Advisory, the Principal Advisor plays a pivotal role in supporting the strategic and operational performance of the Authorisations and Advisory function. You will provide trusted advice, identify and manage risks, support complex decision-making, and help ensure the function is well-positioned to deliver against organisational priorities. 

Working closely with senior leaders, operational teams, industry stakeholders and regulatory partners, you will help drive continuous improvement, strengthen governance and performance frameworks, and contribute to the effective administration and oversight of authorisations and exemptions. 


Key responsibilities 

• Provide strategic advice and operational support to the Head of Authorisations and Advisory. 
• Support performance monitoring, service delivery oversight, and the identification and management of operational and regulatory risks. 
• Develop high-quality reports, insights, briefings and recommendations to support executive and organisational decision-making. 
• Build and maintain effective relationships with industry leaders, regulatory agencies and other key stakeholders. 
• Lead and support initiatives to improve systems, processes, culture and health and safety practices within the function. 
• Contribute to the monitoring and oversight of authorisations and exemptions, including supporting investigations where required. 
• Design and deliver meaningful engagement activities with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Provide leadership on complex issues, balancing regulatory objectives, operational needs and stakeholder perspectives. 

About you 
You are a highly credible and experienced advisor who operates confidently at both strategic and operational levels. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, influencing without authority, and building trusted partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups. 

You will bring: 

• Significant experience in a senior advisory, strategy, regulatory or policy-related role. 
• Experience working with complex, high-risk or ambiguous issues and developing practical, effective solutions. 
• Strong knowledge of regulatory environments, with health and safety sector experience highly regarded. 
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders, build consensus and drive outcomes across organisational boundaries. 
• Experience establishing frameworks, performance measures and governance processes that support high-quality service delivery. 
• Excellent written communication skills, including the preparation of executive-level reports, briefings and business cases. 
• Strong relationship management skills with experience working across government, industry or regulatory settings. 
• A commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement and supporting positive workplace culture. 

Qualifications 

• Relevant tertiary qualification and/or extensive comparable experience gained within a regulatory, advisory or related environment. 

Why join us? 

This is an opportunity to be part of a high-performing team delivering work that directly supports safer outcomes for New Zealand workers and businesses. You will work on complex and nationally significant issues, provide advice to senior leaders, and help shape the effectiveness of WorkSafe's regulatory activities. 

We offer a collaborative environment, flexible working arrangements, and a strong commitment to professional development, inclusion, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

Join a high-performing team delivering critical work that supports better outcomes for New Zealanders.