Wellbeing and Safety Lead

Wellbeing and Safety Manager

About EIT

EIT (currently a division of New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) is a place where people and learning thrive. We exist to empower ākonga, whānau, and communities through education, innovation, and connection.

Our people are at the heart of this mahi - committed to nurturing belonging, advancing success for Māori, and leading with integrity.

Across our campuses in Te Matau-a-Māui, Tairāwhiti, Tāmaki Makaurau, we are building a proactive culture of health, safety, and wellbeing that supports excellence, belonging, and purpose.

The Role

You’ll lead wellbeing and safety across EIT, shaping strategy, systems, and culture that help kaimahi and ākonga thrive. Balancing care with compliance, you’ll guide leaders and create environments where hauora and safety are part of everyday practice.

• Shape health, safety, and wellbeing across one of Aotearoa’s most diverse tertiary environments – from viticulture and agriculture to hospitality, trades, outdoor adventure, and toi Māori.
• Support a wide regional network from Ruatoria to Waipukurau, each with its own opportunities and needs.
• Lead transformation as the organisation transitions from NZIST back to EIT, setting a fresh, future-focused direction.
• Step in with momentum – an ISO 45001 Health and Safety Gap Assessment is already underway, providing clear priorities.
• Partner with a values-driven People & Culture team to deliver joined-up impact.
• Coach and develop an experienced Advisor.
• Champion holistic wellbeing (oranga) – supporting the physical, mental, cultural, and organizational wellbeing of kaimahi and ākonga.

This role reports to the Director, People and Culture and can be based in Napier or Tairāwhiti. Regular regional travel is required.

About You

• You’re a confident, people-focused professional with strong Health, Safety and Wellbeing expertise and a genuine passion for helping others thrive.
• Proven experience across varied and high-risk environments, with solid technical knowledge and practical know-how.
• Strong grounding in wellbeing, hauora and oranga – you design approaches that care for people’s physical, mental, cultural and organizational wellbeing.
• Experience advising senior leaders and Council while staying connected to what’s happening on the ground.
• Collaborative and values-led – you build trust, lift capability, and bring others along with empathy and clarity.
• Culturally confident, weaving te ao Māori perspectives into your work and committed to equity, inclusion, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Join Us

This is an opportunity to use your skills and experience to help shape an organisation where everyone learns and works in an environment of care, connection, and confidence.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable candidates may be contacted before the closing date.

Me tono mai inaīanei | Apply Now! Applications Close Midnight December 7th, 2025

To find out more, please get in touch with Russell Spratt on for a confidential kōrero.

To apply for this vacancy, you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.

At the appropriate stage we will request your references, we ask that you do not include them on your CV when applying.

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