Air New Zealand plays a critical role in supporting Aotearoa’s success. Our purpose of connecting Kiwi with each other and the world is incredibly special and we love what we do, however our operations create very harmful emissions that are contributing to climate change. Air New Zealand’s work to decarbonise is one of its most pressing and urgent priorities.
We are seeking a Sustainability Lead (Head of Sustainability) – Climate Policy, Regulation & Reporting to join the fantastic sustainability team who are charged with developing and executing the airline’s strategic approach to climate action and sustainability.
Reporting to the Chief Sustainability Officer, this is a senior leadership role with significant responsibility and regular engagement with the airline’s Board of Directors, executive leadership team, and internal and external stakeholders including government entities and industries bodies in New Zealand and overseas.
Key responsibilities:
- Sustainability and climate reporting: oversee the process, governance and content development for the airline’s mandatory climate related disclosures, including engagement with the Board of Directors, management, and external advisors and financial auditors. Support greenhouse gas inventory preparation and oversee GRI aligned ESG reporting.
- Policy and advocacy: oversee and guide the company’s sustainability advocacy domestically and internationally. This includes development of policy positions, preparing submissions, leading advocacy efforts on relevant matters, ensuring consistency of messaging across the sustainability portfolio and broader company policy positions, and engaging with government officials, ministers, regulatory bodies, Sustainable Aviation Aotearoa, the International Civil Aviation Organization and other relevant stakeholders.
- International and domestic compliance: oversee and monitor international and domestic carbon compliance obligations, policy and market developments, and support the company to develop compliance strategies aligned with the Sustainability strategy.
- Sustainability Advisory Panel: oversee twice yearly Sustainability Advisory Panel, including future composition, purpose and cadence. This includes meeting preparation, agenda formation, materials and engagement.
- Develop and implement policies to form the corporate governance and direction of sustainability at Air New Zealand.
- Embed sustainability within the company and raise its internal and external sustainability profile.
- Provide sustainability performance data and advice for operational, reporting, and governance requirements.
- Provide accurate and timely Board reports.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Support the leadership, coaching, and development of the Sustainability team.
Experience & skills
- Proven experience in a senior sustainability role in a large, complex organisation with a focus on climate policy, reporting, and/or regulation.
- Demonstrated experience and ability in providing strategic and commercial input into the management and planning of sustainability initiatives.
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation.
- Excellent communication skills, ability to communicate and influence across wide range of people up to and including the Board of Directors.
- Ability to gain confidence and credibility with senior leaders and to influence key decision makers internally and externally.
- Experience and/or education in a legal discipline would be extremely beneficial.
- The ideal candidate will have significant experience in policy position development, regulatory affairs, and public advocacy, with a strong understanding of sustainability issues and the ability to navigate complex political landscapes at both the domestic and global levels.
This is a critical leadership role for Air New Zealand and one that will make a meaningful difference. If you have a passion for a more sustainable future, please apply now. Applications close Sunday 26th January.
Additional Information
At Air New Zealand, we are proudly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and believe in creating a truly inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. Our people are our greatest asset – because while everything else we do in our operation can be replicated by our competitors, it is our people that truly set us apart. We are firm believers in celebrating the differences and diversity of thought our people bring to their roles. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those with a disability, additional health and mental health needs, and/or are neurodiverse to apply for our roles.
If you have encountered any accessibility barriers and require further information or reasonable accommodations to our recruitment process, please reach out to the recruiter listed on this job advert so they are able to support you to freely participate equitably in our recruitment and selection process.
Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata. Ko te pae tata whakamaua, kia tina.
"Seek to bring distant horizons closer. Once near, seize them and make them your reality."
