Principal Advisor, Regulatory Quality Oversight
Permanent
Salaried Full Time
Wellington, NZ, 6011
- Lead quality assurance oversight activities that drive safety and security improvements to keep our aviation safe.
- Enjoy great benefits including 4% KiwiSaver + discounted life, health & income insurance.
- Permanent | Wellington CBD – Asteron | $136,939 – $168,191 pa.
By joining us, you will be part of a team where meaningful work, collaboration and innovation come together to help keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure.
At the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, we are constantly evolving to meet the demands of a changing environment and the aviation industry.
At the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, we are constantly evolving to meet the demands of a changing environment and the aviation industry.
Recent legislative changes, along with an organisational realignment, have opened exciting new opportunities across the organisation. These changes are part of a broader effort to better position our teams for the future by enabling us to be more collaborative, efficient and effective in everything we do.
As we step confidently into our role as a modern regulator, we are embracing intelligence-led, risk-based approaches that help us make a real difference for our people and the communities we serve – with a strong value-for-money ethos. We’re also committed to enabling aviation participants to support economic growth in New Zealand's aviation sector.
About the role
The Quality and Assurance Oversight Unit is responsible for internal monitoring and assurance within the CAA. This role sits within the Quality and Assurance Oversight team and plays a key part in delivering quality, assurance and oversight activities - an essential function that helps provide assurance to the Executive, Director, and Board that the CAA is effectively and efficiently delivering its safety and security responsibilities, in line with internal policies and procedures.
The Principal Advisor within Regulatory Quality Oversight is based at our Wellington Head Office with flexibility for Auckland location considered and reports to the Manager, Quality and Assurance Oversight. It offers a great opportunity to work across a wide range of aviation regulatory functions, helping to identify risk areas and improvement opportunities that support the CAA’s continuous improvement in safety and security performance.
The salary band for the Principal Advisor, Regulatory Quality Oversight starts at $136,939 to a maximum of $168,191. Starting salaries are be based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.
What You’ll Bring
You’ll be a strategic thinker with deep expertise in regulatory quality, assurance, and oversight, ideally within a dynamic or safety-critical environment. Your ability to provide thought leadership and trusted advice at a senior level will be matched by your skill in coaching and mentoring others. You’ll bring a strong understanding of aviation regulatory frameworks (including the Civil Aviation Act 2023 and ICAO obligations), and the ability to apply this knowledge to deliver robust assurance approaches. You’ll have a proven ability to lead complex audits and projects, draw insights from data, and build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation and with international counterparts. Integrity, sound judgement, and a keen eye for risk will underpin everything you do.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need to show:
- Extensive experience in dynamic regulatory or policy environments, ideally within aviation systems.
- In-depth knowledge of legislative and regulatory frameworks, particularly the Civil Aviation Act 2023.
- Being recognised as a trusted advisor with the ability to influence and build credibility at senior levels.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and support informed decision-making.
- Proven track record in leading and delivering major projects and regulatory initiatives.
- Skilled in building effective relationships and using influence to drive engagement and trust.
- Experienced in developing team capability through coaching and mentoring.
- Solid understanding of the machinery of government, backed by relevant qualifications and/or practical experience.
About Us
Our Values – Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration – represent the standards of behaviour we uphold and guide how we work at the Authority. We embrace diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment where our people feel respected, safe, and valued for their unique contributions. We recognise that our people drive our success.
Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and Cover Letter. Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.
We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.
For more information on the role please view the position description or contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@caa.govt.nz
Applications Close: Friday 1st August 2025.