Senior Risk Advisor

About the organisation

Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, is Aotearoa’s top-ranked university and employs about 9,000 staff who support more than 46,000 students. It is a long-established New Zealand institution known for strong teaching and research that contribute positively to people, communities, and society.

About the role

This position is an important part of strengthening risk and resilience capability across the University. As a Senior Risk Advisor in the Risk Office, you will bring specialist expertise across the University’s risk and resilience portfolio and help shape the frameworks, programmes, and day-to-day practices that support effective risk management. The role is suited to someone with solid intermediate-level experience who is ready to step up.

You will work with stakeholders across faculties and service divisions to build risk awareness, support informed decision-making, and help ensure the University can respond effectively to disruption and change.

Key responsibilities

• Drive the continued design and delivery of the University’s business continuity, enterprise risk, and incident management programmes.
• Offer practical advice to stakeholders on risk frameworks, risk registers, and mitigation approaches.
• Lead risk workshops, training activities, and wider capability-building sessions.
• Assist with risk reporting, analysis, and insights for senior leaders.
• Support resilience planning, incident response coordination, and continuous improvement work.

What you will bring

You will be an assured risk professional who can operate across a complex organisation and build strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders. You should understand risk frameworks and resilience practices well, and be able to turn them into workable, practical solutions.

The role calls for someone who can combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, while taking a collaborative and proactive approach to capability building and improvement.

Requirements

• Background in risk management, business continuity, governance, or a similar area.
• Good working knowledge of risk frameworks, reporting, and resilience practices.
• Strong communication and facilitation ability, including working with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to assess information, spot risks, and give clear, practical guidance.
• Experience supporting or delivering training, workshops, or capability-building initiatives.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.
• Experience in large, complex organisations or the tertiary sector is an advantage.
• Exposure to incident management, insurance, or resilience programmes is also beneficial.

Benefits

• Competitive pay of NZ$104,000 to NZ$121,000 per year, plus five weeks of annual leave.
• Superannuation and KiwiSaver support.
• Flexible working options, including work from home and adaptable hours.
• Generous and inclusive parental leave arrangements.
• Career development opportunities and access to benefits such as discounted insurance, memberships, and on-site facilities.

Additional information

This is a full-time permanent position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Applications must be submitted online by Sunday 26 July 2026. A short cover letter explaining your interest in the role and how your experience matches the requirements is required, along with an updated CV. Email applications are not accepted.

Equity and inclusion

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and to delivering equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. Support and information are available for Māori, Pacific peoples, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work, and other personal circumstances.