Principal Advisor Wellbeing, Health and Safety

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Principal Advisor Wellbeing, Health and Safety at the Department of Internal Affairs is a senior, enterprise-wide role based in Wellington, full-time and onsite, with a salary range of $129,271 to $160,871 and a likely midpoint of $143,634. You will lead enterprise wide wellbeing and safety strategies, shape direction with senior leaders, develop assurance and continuous‑improvement frameworks, and translate data and trends into practical actions that strengthen risk management and foster a proactive safety culture. Success rests on extensive experience leading wellbeing and safety in a large complex organisation, the ability to influence executives, solid knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and strong stakeholder engagement. To apply, tailor your CV and cover letter to demonstrate outcomes, apply via the apply button by 5pm Monday 7 September 2026, confirm you have the right to work in New Zealand, and reach out to Jayden Vallabh with any questions.

About Us | Mō mātou   

Enterprise Services | Nuku Toiere plays a pivotal role in shaping how the organisation operates and succeeds. As an enterprise-wide function, the branch delivers high-impact services across legal, finance, people and culture, communications, and strategy, governance and risk, supporting informed decision-making and strong organisational performance.  

The role | Te tūnga 

As Principal Advisor Wellbeing, Health and Safety, you'll be the Department's senior wellbeing, health and safety specialist, providing enterprise-wide leadership that strengthens organisational performance, capability and culture. Working closely with senior leaders, you'll shape strategic direction, provide trusted advice, and influence decisions that embed wellbeing, health and safety into how the Department operates every day.

You'll lead the development and delivery of enterprise-wide strategies, frameworks, assurance activities and programmes that strengthen critical risk management, legislative compliance and continuous improvement. Using data, insights and emerging trends, you'll help leaders understand organisational risks, improve performance and drive practical solutions that create a proactive and resilient safety culture.

Working collaboratively across the Department and with external partners, you'll build strong relationships, coach and influence leaders, lead key programmes of work, and champion contemporary wellbeing, health and safety practices that support our people to thrive.

The salary range for this role is $129,271 - $160,871, with appointments likely to be made at the midpoint of $143,634.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou  

• Extensive experience leading wellbeing, health and safety strategies, programmes or functions within a large, complex organisation 
• Proven ability to influence executive leaders and provide trusted strategic advice on organisational risk, governance and performance 
• Strong knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, critical risk management and contemporary wellbeing, health and safety practice 
• Experience developing assurance, compliance and continuous improvement frameworks that strengthen organisational capability and performance 
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of an organisation 
• Strong analytical and systems-thinking capability, with experience leading organisational change, complex programmes or enterprise-wide initiatives

For you | Mōu  

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.   

To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see why we're a great place to work check out our website https://www.dia.govt.nz/  

Benefits - About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits - dia.govt.nz  

To review the full job description, please click here.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono  

We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application.  

We're committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please reach out to our recruitment team below if there is any support we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.  

Applications for this role close 5pm, Monday 7 September 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.  

If you have any questions please email Jayden Vallabh – [email protected]