Team Lead Response Operations at Maritime New Zealand, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

About us: Mō mātou | About Us 

Our Vision: Preventing Harm. Saving Lives. Securing our Future 

We play a key role in the guardianship of New Zealand waterways. We’re bringing together our aroha, work and skills to achieve our outcomes of sustainable supply chains and sectors, safe people and operations, secure ports and ships, and clean seas and waterways. 

Our values are about who we are as individuals and the behaviours we expect from each other at Maritime NZ. 

Care | Kia Tika - We care for each other and do the right thing 

Connect | Kotahitanga - We unite in a common purpose 

Courage | Kia Māia - We are brave, capable and confident  

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the team 

The RCCNZ and Safety Systems Response team focuses on two main outcomes; the Rescue Coordination Centre provides 24/7 Search and Rescue coordination for all category II beacon initiation, and Safety Services supports national maritime emergency communication, satellites and Aids to Navigation systems (including our lighthouse network). This business unit also supports the development, implementation, improvement and delivery of capabilities to respond to general maritime incidents and marine pollution incidents as part of the wider MNZ Safety and Response group.

Te tūnga | The role

As Team Lead Response Operations you will be responsible for supporting the Manager Operations and providing operational advice and expertise to the wider RCCNZ and Safety Systems leadership team, utilising and supporting our Search and Rescue team, planning and allocating resource to drive projects to enable continuous improvement across the wider RCCNZ group. 

As part of the RCCNZ and Safety Systems leadership team you will enjoy working collaboratively with other leaders within our group and our wider Maritime whanau. In addition the role is an integral part of wider maritime incident readiness and response activities and is part of the wider Group leadership team that drives the development of integrated response capability.

Nōu te rourou | What you bring 

Proven track record of building highly engaged project teams of technical specialists in an operational environment;

• Significant experience in emergency management or search and rescue operations;
• Thorough knowledge of emergency management principles, practice and procedures with operational emergency management experience, including NZ Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) an advantage;
• Knowledge of international and national SAR arrangements, applicable regulations and obligations is an advantage (including working knowledge of IMO/ICAO);
• Experience in lessons management and continuous improvement systems and processes;
• Ability to network effectively in a consultative and collaborative manner, influencing and building credibility across a range of stakeholders both internally and externally;
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.

Mōu | For you  

Maritime NZ recognises and respects te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with Māori to build strong, meaningful and enduring relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. 

We aim to be a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported with a sense of belonging. We encourage our people to actively contribute to our workplace culture where we all thrive and authentically live our values. 

Upon joining us you’ll receive a full range of benefits including Income Protection and Life Insurance so check out our full range on our careers page to find out more about why we love working here.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply  

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.

The appointing range for this role is $114,961 - $140,246.

Applications for this role close Monday 19^th January 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 careers@maritimenz.govt.nz

Please note we will be unable to respond to queries between 12^th December 2025 and 12^th January 2026.