SHW Business Partner - Infrastructure Lower North Island

Help shape safer, smarter infrastructure delivery across the Lower North Island.\nPermanent SHW Business Partner opportunity embedded with our Infrastructure team.\nInfluence leaders, manage critical risk, and strengthen safety culture.

Flexible location options across Wellington (Upper Hutt/Wallaceville) or Palmerston North.

We are looking for an experienced SHW Business Partner to partner with our Infrastructure leaders across the Lower North Island. In this role, you will influence how safety, health and wellbeing is embedded across geographically dispersed, field‑based and technically complex rail infrastructure activity. Reporting to the SHW General Manager for Infrastructure, you will provide practical guidance, coaching and assurance that helps leaders manage critical risk, strengthen safety leadership and improve operational performance.

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• Partnering with Infrastructure leaders to embed practical safety, health and wellbeing practices across the Lower North Island.
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• Facilitating risk identification, safety planning and control assurance across sites, depots and project environments.
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• Coaching and mentoring leaders to lift capability and drive safety leadership.
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• Strengthening critical risk management, emergency preparedness and frontline control effectiveness.
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• Providing performance insights to identify trends and drive improvement.
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• Supporting quality incident investigations that identify learnings, improve controls and prevent recurrence.
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• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across systems, processes and culture.
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• Building strong relationships with operational teams, contractors and stakeholders.
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• Safety, Health and Wellbeing experience in rail infrastructure, construction, transport, utilities or another high‑risk operational environment.
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• Strong understanding of risk management, safety systems and the practical application of controls in operational settings.
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• Proven ability to influence and coach leaders in operational settings.
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• Experience supporting incident investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.
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• Confidence working across multiple sites, engaging with frontline teams and influencing through trusted relationships.
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• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
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• Relevant SHW qualification (e.g. NEBOSH or equivalent).
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• Full NZ Driver’s Licence and willingness to travel regularly.
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• Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver contribution.
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• Discounted medical insurance and staff travel benefits.
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• Access to the NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust.
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• Ongoing professional development and the opportunity to grow your influence as an SHW practitioner.
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• The opportunity to make a visible contribution to safe delivery of critical national rail infrastructure.
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• A collaborative SHW team environment with strong operational connection and purpose.
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If you’re passionate about improving safety outcomes, building leadership capability and influencing how rail infrastructure is delivered safely across Aotearoa, we’d love to hear from you.