Health and Safety Manager

Project Overview

This role supports one of New Zealand’s most significant and technically complex vertical infrastructure development currently underway. The project is a large-scale, secure operational facility being delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and joint venture model, bringing together some of the country’s most experienced construction, engineering and service delivery organisations.

Designed to operate around the clock once complete, the facility incorporates high-security environments, complex building systems, and long-term asset management requirements. The project environment is fast-paced, highly collaborative and governance-led, with strong interface management across public and private sector stakeholders.

About the Opportunity

Joining this project offers the rare chance to be part of a high-profile, nationally important build from within an established and well-resourced delivery team. You will work alongside industry specialists in a project setting that values professionalism, discretion and excellence, while offering exposure to sophisticated commercial, security and operational frameworks unique to PPP projects.

This is an opportunity for someone who thrives in structured, high-accountability environments and is motivated by contributing to infrastructure that delivers lasting public value.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly capable QHSE Manager to provide senior leadership across quality, safety, health and environmental performance on this landmark project.

Based in Templeton, Christchurch and reporting to the Project Director, this role will partner closely with project leadership, delivery teams, subcontractors and client representatives to establish and maintain a high-performing QHSE culture. The successful candidate will be responsible for embedding robust systems, driving visible leadership, supporting informed decision-making and ensuring disciplined delivery in line with project, contractual and legislative requirements.

This role is ideally suited to a leader who thrives in complex, high-accountability environments and has the credibility, judgement and presence to influence outcomes at all levels of a major project.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Provide senior leadership, direction and professional advice across quality, safety, health and environment for the project
• Establish, implement and continuously improve project QSHE systems, plans, assurance activities and reporting frameworks
• Lead the development of a strong, proactive and visible project culture, with a particular focus on leadership accountability and frontline engagement
• Partner with project leaders and delivery teams to integrate QHSE requirements into planning, design, mobilisation, construction and project controls
• Drive compliance with project requirements, legal obligations, client expectations and applicable management system standards
• Lead audit, assurance, monitoring and review activities to verify performance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Support incident reporting, investigation, learning reviews, corrective actions and trend analysis to strengthen risk controls and project performance
• Influence subcontractors and suppliers to achieve consistent standards and aligned QHSE outcomes across the project
• Support quality outcomes through effective assurance, verification, non-conformance management and continuous improvement processes
• Contribute to project governance, strategic planning and leadership decision-making through clear performance insights and practical advice

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Significant experience in a senior QHSE leadership role on a major construction, infrastructure or similarly complex operational project
• Demonstrated capability to lead safety culture, quality assurance and environmental performance in high-risk, multi-stakeholder environments
• Strong understanding of project governance, assurance, compliance and management systems in a structured delivery environment
• Proven ability to coach and influence leaders, delivery teams and subcontractors to achieve high standards and consistent behaviours
• Experience in project start-up, mobilisation and the embedding of systems, expectations and performance frameworks from the early stages of delivery
• Strong judgement, resilience and the ability to balance strategic priorities with operational realities
• Highly developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to work across senior leadership, project teams and external parties

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

You will ideally have:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in health and safety, environmental management, engineering, quality, risk or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• At least 10 years’ experience in QHSE roles within major construction, infrastructure, industrial or similarly complex project environments
• Proven leadership experience in the development and implementation of QHSE systems, governance and assurance processes
• Strong knowledge of legislative compliance, audit and assurance, incident management and performance reporting
• Experience working in a joint venture, PPP or other complex contractual environment will be highly regarded
• Experience in corrections, justice, defence, health, social infrastructure or other secure / highly regulated environments will be highly regarded

What We Offer

This is a genuinely unique opportunity to contribute to a major public infrastructure project with lasting social value.

• You will be part of a collaborative and well-resourced project environment that combines strong local capability with international experience, systems and delivery expertise. In return, we offer:
• The opportunity to help shape a major project from early phases through delivery
• A senior leadership role with real influence across project outcomes
• Exposure to sophisticated project systems, governance and delivery frameworks
• A collaborative team culture built on professionalism, partnership and shared success
• Competitive remuneration aligned with the experience and capability required for the role