Waikato Waters is a brand-new, publicly owned water utility bringing together water and wastewater services across the Waikato region, built from the ground up to deliver for communities today and for generations to come.
Te tūranga | The role
This is a pivotal leadership position responsible for driving operational compliance across a complex water services environment. As Compliance Manager, you will lead the organisation-wide compliance function, ensuring 100% adherence to all statutory, regulatory, and consent obligations across drinking water, wastewater, and trade waste services. You will provide clear assurance to senior leadership and the Board that compliance risks are understood, proactively managed, and consistently met. A key focus of the role is embedding a high-performance compliance culture, where accountability sits across all levels of the organisation, not just within the compliance team.
Ō mahi | What you'll do
- Lead and embed a unified, organisation-wide compliance framework
- Drive a culture of 100% compliance and accountability across operations
- Act as the primary relationship owner with regulators (e.g. Taumata Arowai, councils, WorkSafe)
- Ensure audit readiness and proactive management of compliance risks and issues
- Translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, practical operational guidance
- Lead compliance monitoring, internal audits, and assurance activities
- Provide clear, timely reporting to ELT and Board on compliance performance and risk
- Build and lead a high-performing compliance team through strong, visible leadership
- Partner with operational and delivery teams to ensure compliance is embedded in day-to-day activities
- Support the consolidation of legacy compliance frameworks into a single, fit-for-purpose approach
You are a proven compliance leader who brings both technical depth and strong people leadership capability. You are driven by high standards, take ownership of outcomes, and have a clear commitment to achieving full compliance in complex environments.
You will bring:
- Significant leadership experience in compliance, regulatory, or assurance roles
- A strong track record of building and leading high-performing teams
- Deep understanding of NZ water services regulation (drinking water, wastewater)
- Experience managing regulatory relationships and compliance programmes
- The ability to influence and embed compliance thinking across diverse operational teams
- Strong judgement, with the confidence to make decisions that stand up to scrutiny
- Experience operating in complex environments such as utilities, infrastructure, or local government
- A relevant tertiary qualification (environmental science, engineering, law, or similar)
He aha ai mātou | Why join us
Waikato Waters is being built once, and you'd be part of that. He waka eke noa - we are all in this together. The work is real, the impact is visible, and the team we're assembling is genuinely exceptional. We offer competitive remuneration, health insurance, and hybrid working where the role allows. To learn more about Waikato Waters visit: www.waikatowaters.co.nz
Me pēhea te tono | How to apply
Applications close April 20th 2026. To apply, visit www.alexanderjames.co.nz/job-results#/ For a full position description or for a confidential chat contact Toni Lea on toni@alexanderjames.co.nz