SHW Business Partner - Infrastructure Lower North Island

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

KiwiRail is seeking an experienced SHW Business Partner to embed safety, health and wellbeing across the Lower North Island Infrastructure team, influence leaders, manage critical risk and strengthen safety culture. This permanent role partners with field-based teams to implement practical safety practices, facilitate risk identification and control assurance, coach leaders and support incident investigations while driving continuous improvement. Flexible locations include Wellington (Upper Hutt or Wallaceville) or Palmerston North, with regular site travel. To apply, showcase how you have delivered tangible SHW outcomes in rail or other high risk settings, evidence of coaching and leadership influence, NEBOSH or equivalent, a full NZ driver’s licence, and a track record of stakeholder engagement and Line-Led Safety alignment. Applications close 12 July 2026.

SHW Business Partner – Infrastructure Lower North Island

• Help shape safer, smarter infrastructure delivery across the Lower North Island
• Permanent SHW Business Partner opportunity embedded with our Infrastructure team
• Influence leaders, manage critical risk, and strengthen safety culture
• Flexible location options across Wellington (Upper Hutt/Wallaceville) or Palmerston North

Position Description 

He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role:

We are looking for an experienced SHW Business Partner to partner with our Infrastructure leaders across the Lower North Island. In this role, you will influence how safety, health and wellbeing is embedded across geographically dispersed, field-based and technically complex rail infrastructure activity. Reporting to the SHW General Manager for Infrastructure, you will provide practical guidance, coaching and assurance that helps leaders manage critical risk, strengthen safety leadership and improve operational performance. This is a varied and influential role where your work will contribute directly to the safe delivery of critical infrastructure outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand.

What you’ll be doing:

• Partnering with Infrastructure leaders to embed practical safety, health and wellbeing practices across the Lower North Island
• Facilitating risk identification, safety planning and control assurance across sites, depots and project environments
• Coaching and mentoring leaders to lift capability and drive safety leadership
• Strengthening critical risk management, emergency preparedness and frontline control effectiveness
• Providing performance insights to identify trends and drive improvement
• Supporting quality incident investigations that identify learnings, improve controls and prevent recurrence
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across systems, processes and culture
• Building strong relationships with operational teams, contractors and stakeholders

Working as part of the wider SHW Team and the Infrastructure SHW Team to support KiwiRail on its journey with Line-Led Safety Working as part of the wider SHW and Infrastructure SHW teams to help embed KiwiRail’s Line-Led Safety approach in day-to-day operational decision-making

Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What you will bring:

• Safety, Health and Wellbeing experience in rail infrastructure, construction, transport, utilities or another high-risk operational environment
• Strong understanding of risk management, safety systems and the practical application of controls in operational settings
• Proven ability to influence and coach leaders in operational settings
• Experience supporting incident investigations and continuous improvement initiatives
• Confidence working across multiple sites, engaging with frontline teams and influencing through trusted relationships
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Relevant SHW qualification (e.g. NEBOSH or equivalent)
• Full NZ Driver’s Licence and willingness to travel regularly

Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you:

• Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver contribution
• Discounted medical insurance and staff travel benefits
• Access to the NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust
• Ongoing professional development and the opportunity to grow your influence as an SHW practitioner
• The opportunity to make a visible contribution to safe delivery of critical national rail infrastructure
• A collaborative SHW team environment with strong operational connection and purpose

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to make a difference?

If you’re passionate about improving safety outcomes, building leadership capability and influencing how rail infrastructure is delivered safely across Aotearoa, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications close: Sunday 12th of July 2026