Do you have safety in your DNA?
Are you an experienced health and safety professional who knows how to influence at every level? Do you care deeply about keeping people safe and want to make a real impact in the electricity industry?
This senior role gives you the chance to lead from the front, providing visible safety leadership in the field, while improving systems, processes, and culture across the organisation.
If you’re a senior advisor ready to bring your expertise to a team that values safety, learning, and innovation, we’d love to hear from you.
Why Waipā Networks?
You’ll be joining a community-owned electricity distribution business that supplies power to more than 60,000 people across Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and surrounding areas. With major network upgrades underway and a growing district, it’s a great time to get involved.
Key benefits of the role
- Relocation support within Aotearoa New Zealand for the right candidate
- Competitive remuneration
- Flexible working arrangements
- The option to buy additional leave to support your work-life balance
- Fully funded health insurance cover for you and your whānau
- Fully funded life insurance, equivalent to twice your base annual salary
- A collaborative team culture that backs you to lead and grow.
What you’ll be doing
As Senior Health and Safety Advisor, you’ll lead the day-to-day operation and improvement of our Safety Management System (SMS). You’ll work closely with the Delivery and Network teams, coach contractors, and support public safety initiatives.
You’ll report to the GM People, Safety and Sustainability and be trusted to manage complex risks, lead assurance programmes, and drive meaningful change.
Your responsibilities
- Provide visible safety leadership across offices, depots, and field sites
- Drive contractor safety management, including audits and verifications
- Lead event investigations and embed lessons learned
- Prepare the organisation for external audits and lead assurance programmes
- Support emergency preparedness and public safety initiatives
- Help employees return safely to work after injury or illness.
- Simplify and improve systems and processes
- Lead critical risk and control management processes
- Manage and facilitate the health and safety onboarding process for new employees and contractors.
What you’ll bring
You’re already working at a senior advisory level and bring credibility, influence, and strong technical expertise. You know how to partner with leaders, engage in the field, and drive continuous improvement.
Ideally, you’ve worked in electricity distribution, but we’re open to candidates from other high-risk industries who bring the right skills and mindset.
You’ll have:
- A New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety (or equivalent)
- NEBOSH/ISO 45001 auditor or lead auditor training, and ICAM training (desirable)
- At least eight years’ experience in health and safety, ideally in electricity distribution, utilities, construction, or similar
- Excellent knowledge of health and safety legislation – electricity industry experience preferred
- Proven experience in critical risk management, contractor management, and investigations
- Strong coaching and influencing skills
- Solid data analysis and reporting capability.
How to apply
We run a structured recruitment process in-house, including pre-employment vetting. You’ll need to have the right to work permanently in Aotearoa New Zealand and be currently living here.
Recruitment agencies – thanks, but we’ve got this one covered.
