The company
Passionate, curious, and innovative are a few words that describe our people. We are powering the future, connecting communities, and igniting innovation. Orion owns and operates the electricity distribution network that provides power to central Canterbury. As the third largest electricity distribution network in New Zealand, we cover remote rural areas, regional towns, and the city of Christchurch.
We are an essential service and take our responsibilities seriously. We are community owned and working here means a career with meaning and purpose that makes a difference in your very own neighbourhood.
The role
Some roles are about maintaining what's already there, this offers the opportunity to genuinely shape what comes next.
As our Head of Quality, Health and Safety reporting to our GM Electricity Network, you'll lead a talented and diverse team and have the scope to influence how quality, health and safety is understood, experienced and embedded right across our business. This is a highly visible role with real reach - from our people and service providers through to senior leadership and the Board.
We're looking for more than technical QHS expertise. The person will matter just as much as the experience. You'll know how to bring people with you, create clarity and direction, build trust and turn good thinking into meaningful action. There is plenty to get your teeth into, plenty of opportunity to make a difference, and the backing to do it well.
Lead, develop and bring together a multidisciplinary QHS team, creating clarity, connection and a strong sense of purpose
Shape and embed a shared QHS vision that builds ownership, learning and continuous improvement across Orion and our service providers
Provide trusted QHS leadership, advice and challenge to senior leaders, the Board and teams across the business
Lead our approach to critical risk, ensuring controls are understood, effective and genuinely embedded in the way work gets done
Strengthen assurance, audit and investigation practices, turning findings and data into insight, learning and meaningful improvement
Oversee key areas including public safety, emergency preparedness, wellbeing, network access and training
Keep looking ahead - simplifying systems, improving tools and finding better ways to make QHS practical, accessible and effective
About you
Technical credibility matters in this role, but how you lead will matter just as much. We're looking for someone who can connect with people at every level, build confidence and create momentum. You'll be comfortable challenging thinking when needed, but you'll do it in a way that brings people with you.
Ideally, you'll bring:
Proven experience leading QHS within a complex, high-risk or technical environment
A relevant tertiary qualification and strong knowledge of health and safety legislation, regulation and contemporary practice
A people-first leadership style with the ability to build, develop and get the best from a diverse team
The confidence and credibility to influence at senior leadership and Board level while remaining equally comfortable out in the business
Strong judgement and the ability to navigate complexity, make decisions and turn issues into action
A genuine improvement mindset - curious about what could work better and prepared to challenge the status quo
Resilience, pragmatism and a sense of perspective, with the ability to bring people together around a common purpose
What they offer
You'll find at Orion, you can come as you are and just be you. You will be joining a workplace that values who you are, the work you do, and the way you think.
Importantly, we offer:
Flexible working arrangements, and flexible locations with our Head office in Burnside and satellite offices in Rolleston and Ferrymead
Three days of “My Days” leave
A broad range of workplace benefits from a wellbeing allowance to access to our holiday house in Hanmer!
You might be surprised to find out that the company that brings the power to your home is innovative, inclusive, progressive, and quite good fun.