Health, Safety & Wellbeing Critical Risk Project Lead
Mō te Tūranga | About the Role
Shape safer futures. Lead with impact. As our Health, Safety & Wellbeing Critical Risk Project Lead, you’ll spearhead the delivery of our Critical Risk Project—driving operational improvements and ensuring the effectiveness of critical controls across the organisation. You’ll develop and embed a comprehensive Critical Risk Framework, including bowtie methodology, standards, guidance, and mechanisms for measuring assurance, creating a robust and consistent approach to health and safety risk management.
Working closely with the Health, Safety & Wellbeing team, you’ll lead cross-functional collaboration to deliver sustainable safety outcomes, balancing scope, time, and budget while keeping worker engagement and continuous improvement at the forefront. From risk assessment and issue management through to change adoption, you’ll partner with leaders and teams at every level to ensure safety is not just about compliance but a true business enabler that supports operational excellence.
You’ll play a critical role in championing a safety-first culture—tracking and reporting on performance, providing clear insights to leadership, delivering targeted training, and leaving a legacy through strong handover and documentation. This is your chance to drive lasting impact, embedding best-in-class safety practices into the very fabric of Southern Cross Healthcare. This is more than a project – it’s your chance to create a legacy of safety and wellbeing across New Zealand healthcare.
This is a full time 12–18-month fixed term role to work on the delivery of our Critical Risk Project.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
- Proven expertise – At least 5 years’ experience in similar roles, with strong knowledge of critical risk and control management, plus a solid understanding of HSWA 2015 and associated regulations, codes of practice, and standards.
- Leadership and influence – A natural leader who leads by example, inspires confidence, and builds trusted relationships across functions and levels of the organisation.
- Strong communicator – Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to facilitate open, honest conversations and engage stakeholders effectively.
- Organised and delivery-focused – Outstanding time management and organisational skills, with the ability to keep projects on track and deliver results.
- Qualified and equipped – A tertiary qualification is essential, with project management or change management credentials highly desirable. Previous healthcare or project leadership experience will be seen as a strong advantage.
Ngā mea ka taea e mātou te tuku I a koe | What we can offer you:
- Competitive Rewards: Attractive remuneration package, relocation allowance, and employee referral bonus scheme.
- Health & Wellbeing: A comprehensive wellbeing programme and generous Christmas/New Year breaks.
- Flexibility & Growth: Flexible working arrangements.
- Perks & Community: Discounts from a range of partners and the opportunity to join our Employee networks.
Ko wai matou | Our Organisation
At Southern Cross Healthcare, our purpose is clear: to advance quality healthcare across Aotearoa New Zealand. Our values shape everything we do:
- Care First – We lead with compassion, delivering care that’s deeply human through genuine manaakitanga.
- Better Together – Collaboration is our strength. We unite diverse skills and perspectives to create better outcomes for all.
- Pursue Excellence – We strive to improve, innovate, and excel every day—never settling, always aiming to deliver our best.
We’re proud to bring together over 4,000 skilled professionals—including 2,000 nurses and anaesthetic technicians—working alongside more than 1,200 specialists, surgeons, anaesthetists, and allied health experts. Together, we’re one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most trusted healthcare providers.
Driven by a strong ‘for purpose’ ethos, we think beyond financial quarters—planning for generations to come.
Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai | Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and foster a culturally safe environment that reflects manaakitanga and values the unique perspectives of our people. Our core value, Better Together, guides our goal to build a workforce that mirrors the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you have specific needs or would like to discuss how we can support you, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at careers@schl.co.nz for a confidential conversation.
Haere mai, ā, mā te mahi tahi ka whai wāhi ki tētahi mea whai take, ka āwhina i ngā tāngata ki te whai oranga mā te whakaaro anō ki te tautiaki hauora
Join us, and together, each of us can be part of something important, helping people live their best lives by reimagining healthcare.
Casey, Sterile Services Department at Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital
Do you have Sterile Services experience?
We are always looking for individuals experienced in Sterile Services to join our team. If you are a detailed orientated team player, with excellent communication skills, and would like to be considered for future roles at Southern Cross hospitals, let us know.
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Casey, Sterile Services Department at Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital