Company Description:
At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team, united by being part of something bigger – bringing the best of life to our residents.
About the role
Summerset is looking for a strategic and experienced Group Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager – Construction to lead and continuously strengthen how health, safety and wellbeing is understood, enabled, and practiced across our construction and care centre refurbishment activities nationwide.
Reporting to the Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, this role plays a critical leadership position at the intersection of construction delivery, organisational systems, and people leadership. You will work closely with the Chief Construction Officer and Construction SLT to ensure health and safety systems genuinely support how work is done, and that leaders are equipped to make sound, riskaware decisions in complex, dynamic environments.
Rather than focusing solely on compliance, this role is accountable for the effectiveness of health and safety across construction — ensuring systems, insights, and ways of working actively contribute to safe outcomes, learning, and continuous improvement.
This role can be based in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the construction health, safety, and wellbeing portfolio as part of the Group HSW function, influencing how senior leaders think about and manage risk.
- Work closely with construction leaders to embed health, safety, and wellbeing into strategic and operational decision‑making.
- Provide expert advice, insight, and challenge to senior construction leaders in complex, high‑risk environments.
- Build and lead a high‑performing team of regional and site‑based HSW Advisors who enable safe, productive work.
- Own and assure fit‑for‑purpose HSW systems that support construction delivery and align with Group frameworks and legislation.
- Provide clear visibility and confidence in the management of critical construction risks.
- Lead incident learning, investigations, and continuous improvement across construction activities.
- Champion wellbeing and mental health initiatives within the construction environment.
- Lift HSW capability across construction leaders and teams through practical, experience‑based learning.
- Use data and insights to inform senior‑level conversations on risk, trade‑offs, and performance, and bring contemporary best practice into Summerset’s construction HSW approach.
About you
You are an experienced health, safety and wellbeing leader with a strong construction background who understands that safe outcomes are created by systems, leadership, and everyday work — not paperwork alone.
You bring a pragmatic, learningfocused approach and are comfortable working with senior leaders to explore complexity, uncertainty, and risk.
You’ll also bring:
- Extensive experience in senior HSW leadership roles, including significant experience within the construction environment.
- Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and teams in highrisk, operational settings.
- Strong understanding of health and safety systems, assurance, and governance, with the ability to translate data and insights into meaningful conversations.
- A coaching mindset, with the confidence to challenge constructively and support leaders to grow capability.
Why Summerset: 
At Summerset, we believe diversity strengthens our team and enriches the care we provide. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life—including those with transferable skills from other industries. You may not tick all the requirements, and that’s okay; we value what you bring to the table and look at the whole individual. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to thrive. 
Equal opportunity is at the heart of how we recruit, and we encourage you to bring your unique perspective and passion to our team. 
Summerset's known for its excellent benefits and strong sense of values around care, teamwork and drive for excellence. With some of the best benefits in the sector, some of these include: 
- Flexible working hours including two work from home days 
- Free Southern Cross health insurance (covering up to 75% of charges for GPs, dentists, physios and more) 
- Professional development and career progression opportunities tailored to you 
- Birthday Leave  
Next Steps:  Applications for this role will close on the  6th of March.  This role may close early due to an increased number of applications - apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!