Principal Compliance Officer

Play a pivotal role in supporting team success

Mentor and empower colleagues to succeed

Permanent opportunity based in Christchurch

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We have an opportunity for a Principal Compliance Officer to join our team. This is a role where you will play a pivotal part in growing our culture of continuous improvement and be our regulatory subject matter expert.

In this role you'll provide support to the Manager Compliance, team members and the wider Safer Commercial Transport team in to drive effectiveness through the delivery of quality work and evidence-based decision making. Your responsibilities will include :

Managing day to day delivery of the work programme to ensure that key performance targets are met

Coaching and mentoring team members in the areas of risk identification and assessment, audits and investigations, good regulatory decision making and application of interventions, critical thinking and continuous improvement

Proactively engaging with commercial operators and drivers, stakeholders and service providers on matters of compliance and non-compliance

Employing effective regulatory tools to ensure transport service licence holders are achieving the highest level of safety and compliance

This position requires a full clean driver's license.

You will find out more about the role

here

We are seeking to appoint at a salary between $109,408 to $133,720 per annum commensurate to skills and experience.

Ko koe

tenei | About you

If you are outcomes focused with a can-do attitude and able to demonstrate a high level of knowledge about the transport industry and how NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) regulates then we would love to hear from you. To be successful in this role you will have :

Extensive experience in a regulatory or compliance environment and be able to navigate complex frameworks to ensure standards are met

Proven ability to lead complex investigations or audits

Experience in reporting on workflow and outcomes, and able to clearly communicate workflow progress and outcomes

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills along with systems thinking

Experience in mentoring and coaching others

Ability to build strong stakeholder relationships and build credibility

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Maori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Maori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public service.

Qualifications :

Tertiary qualification or relevant experience in a regulatory compliance role

Ko wai matou | About us

The Safer Commercial Transport team is responsible for regulating commercial transport operators : from heavy vehicles to small passenger services. We do this by monitoring our sector through audits, reviews and investigations and working with industry to drive best practice. The team regulates transport operators that have been licensed to operate as a transport service.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

We care about our people and invest in supporting our staff at NZTA. If you join us, you can expect :

A supportive working environment

Flexible working options

A competitive salary package, aligned with your skills and experience

5 weeks annual leave and other

great benefits

Ready to take the next step in your career? We'd love to hear from you.

Me pehea te tuku tono | How to apply :

Apply today by including a cover letter detailing why you are the ideal candidate for this role and attach along with your CV.

Ra Katinga | Applications close :

12 October 2025

For further information, email :

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.