Chief Risk Officer at Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake , Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

About the role | Mō te mahi

We are looking for an experienced Chief Risk Officer to lead our enterprise risk, internal audit, assurance, and compliance functions here at NHC Toka Tū Ake on a fixed term contract for 12 months.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Executive Leadership Team, you will be a trusted adviser to the Board, Audit and Risk Committee (ARC), Chief Executive and executive peers on NHC’s most material and emerging risks, control environment, assurance programme and compliance obligations.

This is a senior enterprise leadership role with a clear fixed-term focus. NHC has an established operational risk management approach and a Board-approved enterprise risk management policy and framework. You will lead the next stage of maturity by strengthening NHC’s enterprise view of risk, ensuring operational insights are translated into clear Board-level advice on NHC’s most material risks, risk appetite, tolerance settings and emerging risk profile.

You will also support the Risk and Assurance group following a period of change, strengthening ways of working and relationships across NHC and with external partners. A key part of the role is building a practical, trusted and partnership-based risk culture where risk advice helps teams make good decisions, manage uncertainty and strengthen delivery.

You will lead a high-performing specialist team and help ensure risk, assurance and compliance disciplines are embedded in the way NHC makes decisions, delivers services, works with partners and maintains public, Crown and Board confidence.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the enterprise risk management framework, ensuring it remains practical, proportionate and aligned to NHC’s strategy, statutory role and operating environment.
• Strengthen NHC’s enterprise view of risk, including Board-level reporting on most material risks, risk appetite, tolerance settings and emerging risks.
• Deliver a risk-based internal audit and assurance programme that gives the Board, ARC and Executive confidence in key controls, risk management practices and compliance obligations.
• Provide trusted, no-surprises advice to the Board, Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team on material risks, control effectiveness, emerging issues and areas requiring governance attention.
• Oversee compliance and fraud risk frameworks, ensuring statutory, regulatory and public sector obligations are understood, met and subject to appropriate assurance.
• Build risk capability and strengthen first-line ownership through practical tools, coaching, training and constructive challenge.
• Lead a high-performing specialist team and modernise risk, assurance and compliance systems, tools and reporting, including through data, analytics and responsible use of AI.

Skills & Experience| Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• A track record of operating at executive level in complex organisations, with the credibility, judgement and discretion required to navigate sensitive, high-stakes and confidential matters.
• Deep expertise across enterprise risk, audit, assurance and compliance disciplines, including risk appetite and tolerance, material and emerging risk reporting, assurance mapping, control environments and compliance obligations management.
• Experience working with Boards or Board committees to develop, refine and embed risk appetite, risk tolerance metrics and reporting that supports strategic oversight and decision-making.
• Confidence engaging with Boards, Board committees, Chief Executives and executive peers, with the ability to translate technical detail into clear governance-level choices, trade-offs and recommendations.
• A relationship-based influencing style, with the ability to embed mature risk and assurance practices through trust, constructive challenge and partnership.
• Strong systems thinking and strategic judgement, with the ability to move confidently between operational detail and enterprise-level implications, and to connect risks across statutory, strategic and operational levels.
• Experience operating in complex delivery models involving external partners, outsourced services, co-sourced assurance or third-party delivery arrangements.
• A tertiary qualification in risk management, law, commerce, public policy, accounting, audit, business or a related discipline is essential, as well as relevant professional membership or certifications.
• Public sector or Crown entity experience is highly desirable.

What’s in it for you? | Nōu te rourou

• Competitive salary (including 3.5% superannuation)
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Commitment to your personal development
• Hybrid working environment
• IT home bundle
• Wellbeing fund | Access to inhouse Wellness Coach

Why NHC Toka Tū Ake is a great place to work

Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake is an Aotearoa (NZ) Crown entity that invests in natural hazard research and education as well as providing natural hazard insurance to residential property owners.

NHC Toka Tū Ake’s mission is to reduce the impact on people and property when natural hazards occur, while administering the natural hazard fund.

Our values define who we are; they influence the way we work with each other and the way we engage with homeowners, stakeholders and with communities, every day. 

• Connection – hononga
• Curiosity – māhirahira
• Confidence – māia

He aha te mea nui o te au – he tāngata he tāngata he tāngata

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

Our commitment is a diverse and inclusive workforce because we know our culture thrives when we get this right.

We make a difference for all New Zealanders and strive to increasingly reflect the diversity of communities we serve by including and valuing perspectives from all backgrounds including ethnicity, religion, gender, age, accessibility needs, sexual orientation, and national origin.

How to apply | Me pēhea te whakauru

For a more detailed understanding of the position or if you're ready to apply, please visit our Careers website by clicking Apply. If you have any questions about the role or require further information or assistance, please contact us at recruitment@naturalhazards.govt.nz

Applications close Tuesday, 21 July 2026 at 5:00pm. 

Note: While we acknowledge that AI can be helpful, we want your application to represent you. Please ensure your CV and cover letter reflect your own voice and experiences.

Applications sent via email will not be accepted. We encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications as we receive them and reserve the right to close this advertisement early.