Global Head of Enterprise Risk, Assurance & Legal

About Zespri

Zespri is the world's leading marketer of kiwifruit, operating in over 50 countries with partnerships spanning approximately 2,800 New Zealand growers and 1,500 international post-harvest companies. Committed to sustainable value creation, Zespri is a renowned New Zealand brand dedicated to supporting communities and the environment through the benefits of kiwifruit.

Role Overview

We are seeking a distinguished enterprise leader to establish and lead a world-class Enterprise Risk, Assurance & Legal function. This role will enhance the organisation’s resilience, improve decision-making, and provide confidence to the Board, Executive, and stakeholders that critical risks are effectively managed. Reporting directly to the CFO and collaborating with senior leadership and the Board, you will craft and implement a strategic multi-year roadmap to elevate risk maturity and embed a robust risk culture, supporting sustainable value creation throughout Zespri’s global operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an enterprise risk strategy aligned with organisational goals and long-term value.
• Promote risk awareness and ownership, embedding risk-based decision-making throughout the business.
• Enhance accountability among leadership, integrating risk management into strategic planning, investments, and operations.
• Ensure effective identification, assessment, management, and reporting of strategic, operational, regulatory, financial, and reputational risks.
• Provide proactive insight on emerging risks and opportunities to assist in strategic anticipation and decision-making.
• Champion a balanced culture of performance, accountability, and disciplined risk management.
• Lead a risk-based assurance program delivering stakeholder confidence in controls and risk management.
• Oversee internal audit ensuring independence, commercial relevance, and alignment with enterprise priorities.
• Strengthen governance frameworks, internal controls, and transparent reporting for effective oversight.
• Direct company secretarial and governance support functions for the Board and Executive bodies.
• Manage regulatory compliance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.
• Lead Zespri’s global legal business partner model delivering timely and commercially astute legal counsel.
• Ensure legal, compliance, and governance practices adapt to evolving business and regulatory landscapes.
• Safeguard organisational value by managing legal and regulatory risk efficiently.
• Build and lead a high-performing team encompassing enterprise risk, audit, governance, legal, and compliance.
• Establish trusted partnerships across the organisation while providing independent, constructive counsel.
• Drive cultural and organisational change through credible influence and leadership.
• Create a pragmatic, business-focused function highly regarded by stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive senior leadership experience in enterprise risk, assurance, governance, legal, or compliance fields.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing enterprise-wide risk, assurance, or governance strategies including capability building.
• Deep expertise in enterprise risk management, governance, assurance, and control environments.
• Experience engaging directly with Boards, Board Committees, and Executive teams.
• Strong commercial acumen balancing risk, opportunity, and sustainable value.
• Outstanding influencer with proven ability to advise and challenge senior leaders.
• Track record of leading culture and behavioural change in complex organisations.
• Experience working in multi-jurisdictional or global environments.
• High ethical standards, sound judgement, and resilience.
• Successful leadership of high-performing teams and commitment to developing future leaders.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in law, risk management, business, finance, governance, or related disciplines.
• Professional certifications in risk management, internal audit, governance, compliance, or legal practice are advantageous.

Why Join Zespri?

• Competitive remuneration including eligibility for a Short-Term Incentive plan.
• Flexible working environment combining remote and office options.
• Extra paid leave day annually named Zespri Day.
• Two additional paid Boost Days dedicated to promoting mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance coverage.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.
• Convenient office location in Mount Maunganui with free onsite parking.
• Daily supply of fresh kiwifruit for employees.

Additional Information

Applications close on 26 August 2026. Zespri values diversity and inclusion and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Reasonable adjustments and assistance for the recruitment process can be arranged through the Talent Acquisition team upon request.