Manager Rail Investigations
As Manager Rail Investigations you’ll play a vital role in the rail safety system by supporting the Chief Investigator of Accidents in ensuring your team delivers robust, high quality rail accident investigations.
About the organisation
TAIC is an independent Crown entity that supports the Transport Accident Investigation Commission to determine the circumstances and causes of transport accidents and incidents in order to avoid similar occurrences.
Skilled investigators, led by an Investigator in Charge, investigate and analyse the circumstances of significant air, maritime, and rail occurrences. They support the Commission to consider the facts, and make findings and recommendations to improve transport safety, rather than to ascribe blame.
The Commission’s vision is ‘no repeat accidents – ever!’
The role
You’ll lead a team of skilled rail accident investigators, provide people and technical leadership, management and direction.
You will proactively manage the investigation work flow, build effective and enduring relationships with stakeholders and agencies both locally and internationally, and provide an excellent level of quality assurance to ensure robust, timely, high quality rail accident investigation reports are submitted to the Commission.
There may be times when you are deployed to accident sites so a high level of health and fitness, and the ability to travel, is required. The role is based in central Wellington.
Skills and experiences
Core to this role is management and leadership of the team’s rail accident investigative function and outputs – so our ideal candidate will have:
- outstanding writing and review abilities – able to guide, review, and stand behind high quality Commission-ready investigation reports
- excellent project and workflow management skills and experience
- inspiring and results driven leadership
- modal transport experience
- excellent communication skills and competence presenting in a quasi-judicial setting
- outstanding relationship management skills and able to build strong and enduring relationships with a range of domestic and international stakeholders
- safety investigation and quality assurance experience
- a very high level of attention to detail.
Ideally you’ll hold a tertiary/professional management, investigation and/or transport mode qualification.
In return, this role represents an excellent career opportunity to bring the combination of your strong people leadership, communication, transport, and results focused capabilities to this key role that aspires to no repeat accidents in New Zealand’s rail sector.
If this sounds like the role you’ve been waiting for, don’t delay and apply now. For a detailed job description or more information, please contact Jacaleen Williams at Talent International on 021 732 996.
Please note, applicants must have the right to live and work in New Zealand.
Applications close 12 February 2026.