Operations Authority

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to influence how operational assurance is delivered across one of Aotearoa’s most complex and diverse generation portfolios.
Reporting to the Engineering Authority, you'll provide independent oversight of operational safety, work control systems, operator capability, plant operations, and operational risk across Contact's generation sites. You'll work across the business, from frontline operational teams through to executive leadership and board committees, helping ensure critical operational controls remain effective and fit for purpose.
You'll have the opportunity to shape the future direction of operational excellence at Contact by:
Establishing and evolving Contact's operational authority framework, including assurance practices, standards, and governance mechanisms.
Providing independent operational assurance and influencing decisions on operational risk, capability, work control, and future operating models.
Maintaining oversight of operational performance and critical operational controls across generation assets from commissioning through to operation.
Leading the development and stewardship of operational standards, operating procedures, safety rules, isolation practices, and work control frameworks.
Partnering with operational leaders, engineering specialists, health and safety teams, and risk professionals to strengthen consistency and alignment across our generation operations.
Acting as the enterprise-wide escalation point and subject matter authority on operational safety, work control, and plant isolation matters.
Supporting executive and board-level reporting through robust analysis, insight, and assurance on operational performance and risk.
Representing Contact with regulators and external stakeholders on operational safety and work control matters.
Helping the business navigate complex operational questions where safety, technology, capability, and business needs intersect.
Success in this role will come from your ability to step back from day-to-day operations and provide an independent perspective on what good, safe, and sustainable operations look like. You'll be comfortable navigating ambiguity, challenging assumptions, and balancing competing priorities to help the business make informed decisions that stand the test of time.
Ko wai koe | About You
You'll bring deep operational credibility earned through leading complex operations in a safety-critical industries. Importantly, you'll have walked in the shoes of the people you're influencing, bringing practical operational experience alongside strategic thinking and sound judgement.
You may have built your career in power generation, oil and gas, chemical processing, refining, mining, or a similarly complex operational environment where safety, operational discipline, and risk management are critical to success.
You'll thrive in this role if you:
Bring significant experience in senior operational leadership roles within large-scale operational environments where safety, reliability, and operational discipline are critical.
Have extensive knowledge of plant operations, operational risk management, work control systems, plant isolation, and safety-critical operations.
Can provide objective, independent advice while building trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation.
Are comfortable influencing senior leaders, executives, governing bodies, regulators, and technical specialists.
Demonstrate excellent judgement and can make sound decisions in complex or ambiguous operational environments.
Have experience providing operational assurance, governance, oversight, or independent review functions.
Can identify emerging risks, challenge established thinking, and influence outcomes through evidence and credibility.
Are confident communicating complex operational issues in a way that supports informed decision-making.
Bring a strategic mindset and can understand the long-term operational implications of decisions made today.
Hold a relevant technical or business qualification, or equivalent experience gained through your career.
Above all, you'll be someone who genuinely cares about operational excellence, has high professional standards, and is motivated by creating safer, stronger, and more effective operational environments.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No