Principal Compliance Officer

Environmental Protection Authority NZ

Principal Compliance Officer leading complex environmental compliance, monitoring and enforcement for New Zealand’s independent environmental regulator. Advising stakeholders, improving regulatory practice, and mentoring compliance professionals.

Posted 8/9/2026full-timeWellington • 🇳🇿 New ZealandLead💰 NZ$126,733 - NZ$190,099 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in regulatory compliance, monitoring, and enforcement within environmental legislation, with a strong ability to influence policy improvements and mentor compliance professionals. Possesses advanced knowledge of compliance monitoring and risk management in a New Zealand regulatory environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Regulatory ComplianceMonitoring And EnforcementLegislative Framework InterpretationStakeholder Relationship ManagementAnalytical Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Environmental ScienceEnvironmental ManagementRegulatory ApproachesCompliance MonitoringRisk ManagementInvestigationsEnforcementProactive CampaignsStatutory Enforcement ToolsEvidence-Based Advice

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsNegotiation SkillsConflict ManagementMentoringCoaching

Industry Keywords

Environmental LegislationHazardous SubstancesEmissions TradingExclusive Economic ZoneMiningExtractivesRegulatory PartnersGovernment StakeholdersIndustry RelationshipsCME Leadership Team

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide senior leadership in regulatory compliance, monitoring and enforcement across the EPA’s environmental legislation
Lead and support complex compliance, monitoring and proactive activities within the Monitoring and Proactive Campaigns Team
Provide expert technical advice and quality assurance
Help shape regulatory practice across the organisation
Contribute to strategic initiatives as a member of the CME Leadership Team
Influence process and policy improvements
Mentor and develop compliance professionals
Build strong relationships with regulatory partners, industry and government stakeholders

Requirements

What you’ll need

A tertiary qualification in environmental science, environmental management, engineering, physical sciences or a related discipline, and/or significant experience in a relevant industry
Extensive experience in regulatory compliance, monitoring, investigations and enforcement
Experience using statutory enforcement tools and involvement in complex or high-profile regulatory matters
Strong experience interpreting and applying legislative frameworks to complex situations and determining proportionate regulatory responses
Excellent analytical skills for assessing complex information, identifying risks and providing practical, evidence-based advice
Demonstrated experience mentoring, coaching and developing others while providing senior technical guidance across teams
Proven ability to influence and build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across government, industry, iwi, communities and regulatory partners
Strong communication, negotiation and conflict-management skills
Ability to communicate complex technical, scientific and legal information clearly to diverse audiences
Advanced knowledge of regulatory approaches, compliance monitoring, proactive campaigns, planned and targeted compliance programmes, investigations, enforcement and risk management within a New Zealand regulatory environment
Understanding of environmental regulation and risks associated with regulated activities, ideally in hazardous substances, emissions trading, the Exclusive Economic Zone, mining, extractives or other environmental domains

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible working culture
Three additional paid leave days between Christmas and New Year in addition to four weeks’ annual leave
$400 non-taxable payment to help you set up working at home
Annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives
In-house Māori cultural capability building programme
Learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium
Active and lively social club
Diverse groups and support networks
EPA awards recognising individual and team effort
Relocation help for those moving to New Zealand from overseas