Operational Safety & Security Manager

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) is Auckland’s cultural, events and destination agency. It enriches the cultural life and vibrancy of Auckland through events, experiences and taonga (treasures). Its work connects communities, celebrates identity, and grows Auckland’s reputation as a world-class place to live, visit and belong. TAU is a proud Auckland Council-controlled organisation. 

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Zoo has an exciting full-time opportunity for an Operational Health, Safety & Security Manager to help ensure the Zoo remains a safe, secure, and resilient environment for our people, animals, visitors, and partners. Reporting to the Head of Zoo Environment, Design and Construction, you will provide specialist operational advice across health and safety, physical security, and emergency preparedness. Working alongside operational leaders, animal care teams, visitor experience, facilities, contractors, and external agencies, you will develop practical systems and controls that are clearly understood and consistently applied across daily operations, animal activities, construction projects, special events, and emergency situations.

In this role, and in collaboration with TAU partners and stakeholders you will:

• Lead workplace inspections, assurance reviews, and incident investigations, using performance trends and lessons learned to strengthen safety and security practices.


• Develop and maintain operational procedures, safe systems of work, the Zoo Emergency Management Plan and Procedures and Business Continuity Plan, and supporting documentation in line with legislation and organisational standards.


• Review operational risk assessments, contractor plans, and high-risk activities, providing practical advice on critical controls across projects, animal operations, visitor experiences, and events.


• Coordinate physical and operational security, including CCTV, access control, alarms, restricted keys, perimeter protection, and contracted security services, while maintaining relationships with Police and emergency services.


• Strengthen emergency preparedness and organisational capability by coordinating exercises, training, inductions and briefings, and coaching leaders and teams in risk management and safe working practices.

Click this link for the full position description

He kōrero mōu: About you

You will be a confident and solutions-focused health, safety and security professional who can turn a clear vision into practical action. Comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity, you will assess risk, make sound decisions and step forward constructively when difficult issues need to be addressed. You will build trusted partnerships across operational teams, contractors and external agencies while holding yourself and others accountable for agreed standards and commitments. An engaging communicator and coach, you will bring people together around shared objectives, value diverse perspectives and help create a proactive, learning-focused, and risk-aware culture.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• At least five years’ experience in operational health, safety and security, or a closely related role, supported by a formal health and safety qualification or equivalent professional experience.


• Strong knowledge of operational risk management, legislation, standards, and industry guidance, with experience reviewing safety plans, risk assessments, and contractor documentation.


• Demonstrated experience developing operational procedures and safe systems of work, as well as conducting inspections, audits, or other assurance activities.


• Effective communication, facilitation and coaching skills, the ability to manage competing priorities within a dynamic operational environment, and a current full New Zealand driver licence.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

This is a unique career opportunity working within the lush, green environment of Auckland Zoo, where we welcome more than 850 thousand visitors annually. We offer a competitive remuneration package, and you will also have access to the full range of Tataki Auckland Unlimited benefits – to find out more click this link.

We are a close-knit team that is passionate about Auckland Zoo’s mission, and we are looking for like-minded individuals who share our values. For a similarly enthusiastic, talented, and committed individual, this will be your dream job.

Applications close Sunday 22 November 2026

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.