Principal Advisor – Assurance and Compliance

Principal Advisor – Assurance and Compliance page is loaded## Principal Advisor – Assurance and Compliance locations:
Wellington:
Hamilton:
Palmerston North:
Auckland CBDtime type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todaytime left to apply:
End Date:
March 12, 2026 (14 days left to apply) job requisition :
JR
- * Lead the design and implementation of integrated assurance, compliance and risk practices across Te Mahau | Customer and Services
* Influence service quality, customer outcomes and regulatory confidence at scale
* Work at a strategic and operational level with senior leaders and delivery partners
* Fixed Term role until 30 April 2028
** Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity
** We’re seeking an experienced Principal Advisor – Assurance & Compliance to lead and strengthen assurance, compliance and risk practices across our Te Mahau | Customer and Services Business Group. In this new and influential fixed term role, you’ll design, implement and embed integrated assurance and compliance frameworks that ensure regulatory, contractual and quality requirements are consistently met. You’ll work closely with frontline teams, leaders and third-party service partners to translate best practice into practical, customer centred processes that support high-quality service delivery.

A key priority will be the implementation of a new Assurance and Compliance framework for Te Mahau, helping to manage risk effectively, lift service quality, and build trust with customers and stakeholders.
** Key responsibilities in the role will include:
*** Leading the design and implementation of integrated assurance, compliance and risk frameworks, including audit, controls testing and remediation activities
* Strengthening assurance and compliance oversight of customer‑facing operations, third‑party contracts and delegated authorities
* Embedding customer‑centric quality standards and compliance practices across frontline services
* Identifying, monitoring and mitigating emerging compliance, service quality and regulatory risks
* Coordinating assurance reporting, audit plans and responses across Te Mahau
* Providing trusted, strategic advice to senior leaders on assurance, compliance and risk matters
* Working collaboratively across Te Mahau and with external partners to ensure practices are practical, scalable and sustainable

You will find out more about the role here:
** Ko koe tēnei | About you
** You are an experienced assurance, compliance and risk professional who is comfortable operating in complexity and ambiguity. You will bring a pragmatic mindset and know how to balance regulatory and risk requirements with customer and stakeholder needs.

You will bring:
* Proven experience leading the implementation and ongoing management of assurance, compliance and risk practices in a large, complex public or private organisation
* Extensive experience working across assurance, compliance and risk domains, ideally within operational or customer‑facing environments
* A strong ability to translate best practice into practical, workable processes that can be embedded by frontline teams and service partners
* A curious, solutions‑focused mindset with the confidence to make decisions and move work forward when things are not clear‑cut
* Exceptional stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence at senior levels
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands
* A continuous improvement mindset, using insights and intelligence to support risk‑based decision making
* Relevant qualifications or extensive proven experience in assurance, compliance and/or risk (preferred)
You will also demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of, Te Ao Māori, tikanga and Te Reo Māori, and an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public service.

Te Mahau | Customer and Services delivers transactional products and services that support the effective operation of New Zealand’s land transport system. We focus on operational excellence and creating simple, consistent and positive experiences for customers interacting with Waka Kotahi services.

The Assurance & Compliance team…