Title:  Workforce Operations Lead - Interislander

Workforce Operations Lead - Interislander

Position Description

• Operational workforce leadership focus
• Wide range of responsibilities and tasks
• Permanent, Wellington based

He kōrero mō mātou | About us:

At KiwiRail, we connect New Zealanders sustainably, powering economic growth and ensuring vital freight and passenger services run smoothly. Our mission, "Stronger Connections, Better New Zealand," highlights our dedication to sustainability and community well-being. 

Our people make KiwiRail exceptional. By fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace, we empower everyone to contribute their best. If you’re passionate about innovation and safety, we’d love to welcome you aboard. 

He whakamārama mo te tūranga mahi | About the role:

The Workforce Operations Lead is responsible for supporting the safe, compliant and reliable delivery of Interislander’s workforce operations, including rostering, workforce administration, compliance coordination and operational support. Reporting to the Workforce Planning Manager, this role provides day-to-day operational leadership to the Resource Planners, ensuring roster preparation, leave planning, relief coverage, workforce deployment, movements, administration and compliance monitoring are delivered accurately, consistently and to agreed standards.

With a strong focus on operational execution, roster quality, workforce data accuracy and timely risk escalation, the role supports workforce readiness, service continuity and operational resilience across Interislander. It oversees the monitoring and coordination of workforce compliance requirements, including certification and competency training requirements, while ensuring emerging workforce risks are identified early and escalated appropriately. The role also provides accurate workforce information and operational context to support effective decision-making across the wider workforce function.

Key accountabilities include:

• Lead the daily coordination and operational delivery of Interislander’s crewing, rostering and workforce administration activities.
• Oversee roster preparation, leave planning, relief coverage, staff movements and workforce deployment to support safe manning, vessel and terminal readiness and operational continuity.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, prioritisation and support to Resource Planners, ensuring work is delivered consistently and to agreed standards.
• Monitor roster quality, workforce data accuracy, workforce controls and compliance requirements, ensuring records are maintained and issues are identified early.
• Coordinate monitoring of staff certification, PEC, competency, recognition and training requirements, including expiry oversight, renewal tracking and assessment scheduling.
• Support leave, sickness and absence monitoring by maintaining accurate records, identifying trends and escalating concerns where they may affect coverage, compliance or operational delivery.
• Provide factual workforce information, reporting and operational context to support manager decision-making.
• Escalate significant workforce, safe manning, fatigue, compliance, industrial or complex people matters to the Workforce Planning Manager where they fall outside role delegation or create operational risk.
• Contribute to process improvement, reporting improvements and consistent ways of working across the crewing function.

Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What (skills) you will bring:

Knowledge and experience

• Experience in workforce operations, rostering, workforce coordination or operational planning.
• Experience leading, coaching or coordinating a small operational team, including setting expectations, managing workload priorities and building capability.
• Experience working in a complex, safety-critical, unionised or 24/7 operational environment.
• Working knowledge of collective agreement application, roster rules, leave planning and workforce deployment processes.
• Knowledge of maritime certification, crew competency, safe manning and workforce compliance requirements is desirable.
• Experience using rostering, workforce management, payroll, learning or HR systems is desirable.
• Experience preparing workforce reports, maintaining records and analysing operational workforce information.
• Experience supporting audits, regulatory compliance or assurance activities is desirable.
• Desirable experience in maritime, transport, rail, logistics, aviation or another operational industry.

Ways of working / Work-related qualities

• Strong planning, prioritisation and operational coordination capability.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in roster, workforce and compliance information.
• Clear communication and stakeholder service skills.
• Ability to work calmly in a fast-paced, disruption-prone operational environment.
• Sound judgement and willingness to escalate complex people, industrial, certification or compliance matters appropriately.
• Collaborative leadership style that supports consistency, continuous improvement and effective team delivery.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work within KiwiRail health, safety, wellbeing and environmental requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling workforce information.

Qualifications

You need:

• Relevant experience in workforce operations, rostering, crewing, operational planning or equivalent.

Desirable:

• A relevant qualification in operations, business, maritime operations, workforce planning or a related discipline.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

• Competitive salary plus 4% KiwiSaver employer contribution
• 25 annual leave days
• Access to discounted travel, health insurance & holiday houses across NZ as part of the Staff Welfare Trust 
• A supportive working environment focused on your development and growth
• A strong Zero Harm policy to keep you safe

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference?

Rā aukati | Applications close: 11 August 2026