About this role
<p><img src="https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/assets/Careers/Photos/SEEK-Header-2.jpg?vid=5"></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>SHW Business Partner – Above Rail Central</strong></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Drive safety leadership across KiwiRail’s Above Rail operations – Freight operations, mechanical workshops and container terminal sites</li> <li>Permanent role supporting our Central region, based in Wellington or Palmerston North</li> <li>Partner with leaders to embed culture, manage risk, and improve safety outcomes</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><a title="" href="https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/assets/Careers/Aimee/SHW-Business-Partner-2.pdf?vid=4" target="_self">Position Description</a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role:</strong></p> <p>KiwiRail is committed to putting safety, health and wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do. As our SHW Business Partner – Above Rail Central, you will play a key role in partnering with operational leaders to strengthen safety performance across our Above Rail network. Reporting to the SHW General Manager, you’ll act as a trusted advisor—working closely with frontline leaders and teams to embed strong safety practices, lift capability, and support the delivery of critical risk programmes in a fast-paced operational environment. This is a highly visible, hands-on role where your ability to influence and coach will directly impact how safety is experienced day-to-day across the business.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>What you’ll be doing:</strong></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Partnering with operational leaders to embed safety, health and wellbeing practices across Above Rail</li> <li>Coaching and influencing frontline leaders to build strong safety capability and culture</li> <li>Supporting the implementation of critical risk management and safety initiatives</li> <li>Providing insights and reporting to improve safety performance and decision-making</li> <li>Supporting incident management and investigations to ensure learning and continuous improvement</li> <li>Driving initiatives that strengthen engagement, ownership and accountability for safety</li> <li>Working collaboratively across teams to ensure consistent, practical safety outcomes</li> <li>Working as part of the wider SHW Team and Above Rail SHW Team to support KiwiRail on its journey with Line-Led Safety</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What you will bring:</strong></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Solid experience in a Safety, Health & Wellbeing role within a complex and dynamic operational or high-risk environment – ideally Rail</li> <li>Strong coaching and influencing capability, with the ability to build trust at all levels</li> <li>Experience supporting leaders with risk management and safety performance improvement</li> <li>Ability to translate data into meaningful insights and actions</li> <li>Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, complex environment</li> <li>Collaborative, pragmatic approach with strong stakeholder engagement skills</li> <li>Relevant SHW qualification (e.g. NEBOSH or equivalent)</li> <li>Full NZ Driver’s Licence and willingness to travel across the region</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you:</strong></p> <ul type="disc"> <li>Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver contribution</li> <li>Discounted medical insurance and staff travel benefits</li> <li>Access to the NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust</li> <li>Ongoing development and career progression opportunities</li> <li>A chance to make a real impact in a nationally significant organisation</li> <li>Supportive, values-driven team culture</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to make a difference?</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Bring your expertise and passion for safety to help shape how KiwiRail delivers safer outcomes across our Above Rail operations.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Applications close: </strong>Sunday 12th of July 2026</p> <p> </p>