Health & Safety Business Partner - Queenstown, Otago
Queenstown Airport proudly connects our home with Aotearoa New Zealand and the world. We operate world-class infrastructure, provide strong aviation networks, and strive to deliver experiences beyond our customers’ and communities’ expectations.
Our vision is to be an innovative airport that people love to travel through, and our community takes pride in. To achieve this, our 10-year strategic plan includes delivery of major infrastructure projects.
The Position
As our Health & Safety Business Partner, you will partner with airport operations and project teams to ensure the safe, compliant, and resilient delivery of both day-to-day airport activities and major infrastructure projects. From airside works and runway upgrades to terminal developments and other complex projects, you will provide practical safety leadership and advice.
You will lead proactive risk management, strengthen our Safety Management System and help embed a culture where safety is an integral part of planning and decision-making. Working across the business, you will support continuous improvement and ensure safety remains at the forefront of everything we do.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as trusted advisor to Airport Operations, Project Managers and Contractors.
- Facilitate safety leadership walkarounds and contractor forums; drive a ‘Just Culture’ and learning.
- Maintain alignment with Airport SMS: hazard identification, risk assessment, safety assurance, change management, and safety performance monitoring.
- Support audits, inspections, and corrective actions; maintain documentation for regulator and certification audits.
- Lead formal risk assessments for high-risk activities.
- Coordinate incident reporting and root cause analyses (e.g., ICAM); ensure timely corrective and preventive actions.
- Review and approve Construction Phase Plans, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and Job Safety Analyses (JSA)
- Lead H&S oversight for major capital works (terminal expansion, runway/taxiway/apron upgrades, utilities)
About you
You are a proactive safety professional who thrives in a dynamic and operationally complex environment. With strong knowledge of New Zealand health and safety legislation and risk management principles, you provide practical advice and guidance to support the safe, compliant and resilient delivery of operational activities and projects.
A trusted partner and relationship builder, you work effectively with operational teams, project managers and contractors to embed safety into planning and decision-making. Experience with contractor management, permit-to-work systems and safety management systems will set you up for success, while experience in aviation, infrastructure or other high-risk operational environments would be an advantage.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Proven experience in a health and safety advisory or management role.
- Strong knowledge of New Zealand health and safety legislation and best practice.
- Experience with risk management,incident investigation and continuous improvement processes.
- The ability to influence, coach and build trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation.
- Experience supporting contractors and complex projects in operational environments.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide practical and pragmatic advice.
- Experience with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and permit-to-work processes.
- Experience in aviation, infrastructure, construction, transport or other high-risk industries would be advantageous.
Why work for us?
- Southern Cross Health Insurance
- Comprehensive Whānau Policy
- Training and development opportunities
- Annual well-being subsidy
- OCP - counselling programme
- Day off for your birthday
- Onsite parking
- Long service recognition (5, 10 & 15 years)
Applicants for this position must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.
Queenstown Airport is an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage all suitably qualified applicants to apply.
Apply now via SEEK. For a confidential conversation or a copy of the position description, please don't hesitate to contact recruitment@queenstownairport.co.nz.