Principal Advisor Regulatory Services at WorkSafe New Zealand, All Office Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Make a positive difference to health, safety and wellbeing in Aotearoa  
• Senior strategic advisory role in a high‑impact regulatory environment  
• Work closely with leaders across WorkSafe and the wider system  
• 12 months fixed-term, secondment (internal or inter-agency)
• Open to any WorkSafe location, Wellington preferred
• Appointment salary range: $129,038 - $142,745     

About Us  

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.  

What is the most important thing in the world, it is people, it is people, it is people.  

WorkSafe New Zealand/ Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa, is the primary workplace health and safety regulator – our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi (work) comes home healthy and safe. Our kaimahi (employees) are passionate about our vision and embrace and demonstrate our Mātāpono WorkSafe Values through the mahi they do:    

• Whakakotahi – we're united in a strong purpose   
• Kōrero mai – we engage meaningfully    
• Tiakina mai - we're entrusted with a duty of care

We offer a range of benefits including:  

• Free life insurance  
• Discounts on health insurance and eye care   
• Five weeks annual leave  
• 15 days sick leave, and   
• Learning and professional development opportunities   

There are a growing number of employee-led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities, such as our Rainbow Network, Pacific Network, Women's Network, and Tū Rangatira Māori Network.  

About your team / Ko te tīma  

The Regulatory Services team provides specialist expertise to support WorkSafe's role as the primary health and safety regulator. You'll work closely with the Head of Regulatory Services and General Counsel, as well as the wider leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement across the group.  

About the role / Ō te tūranga  

This is a unique 12‑month fixed‑term or secondment (internal or inter-agency) opportunity to work directly with the Head of Regulatory Services and General Counsel to shape how a critical branch operates and delivers value. This is an exciting role for someone who loves seizing strategic opportunities, solving complex problems, making measurable improvements, and partnering with organisational leaders to lift performance.   

As Principal Advisor, you'll provide high‑level advice, strategic support, and operational guidance to ensure the Regulatory Services branch operates efficiently and effectively. You'll collaborate with the leadership team to lead planning activity, contribute to organisation‑wide reporting, manage key correspondence and information requests, and help maintain strong internal and external relationships across the regulatory system.   

What You'll Do/ Ko tōu ake mahi   

• Lead and support strategic and business planning for the Regulatory Services branch  
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across regulatory functions  
• Monitor and report on performance, service levels, and delivery  
• Support complaints, correspondence, and official information requests  
• Support organisational reporting such as quarterly/annual reports and Ministerial updates  
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement and regulatory system relationships  
• Assist with communications, presentations, and engagement material  
• Support identification and management operational and regulatory risks  

What You'll Bring / Ko ngā pukenga ōu   

• Experience in regulatory or operational environments  
• Ability to provide strategic thought leadership and influence without authority  
• Demonstrated experience in implementation, monitoring impact and continuous improvement
• Strong relationship‑building and stakeholder‑engagement capability  
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills  
• Ability to apply critical thinking, risk awareness, and evidence‑based judgement  
• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience  

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.   

With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.   

Salary range / Awhe utu  

As part of our remuneration framework the full salary range for the position is from $129,038 to $170,159, and our expected starting base salary for the right person is from $129,038 to $142,745.  Note: KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contribution is additional to/on top of your base salary.  

How to apply / Me pēhea te tono   

Click the apply link, complete an application form and submit a copy of your CV and cover letter.  

For further information please contact careers@worksafe.govt.nz with any queries, or to find out more about working for us, go to Careers | WorkSafe.   

WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and welcome and encourage applicants from all walks of life.  We value the experience your point of difference could bring to us.   

Please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you. We look forward to reviewing your application and getting to know more about you.  
  

Applications close on 22 February 2026