Hobson Leavy is delighted to be partnering with the Civil Aviation Authority helping to appoint their Deputy Chief Executive, Regulatory Enablement & Response.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s civil aviation safety and security regulator.
CAA exists to keep the aviation system safe for the public and for people who work in it and use it, as well as keeping it protected (secure) from people who may wish to cause it harm. A safe and secure aviation system maintains New Zealand’s international reputation and supports positive economic and social outcomes.
To ensure delivery of these outcomes CAA:
· Regulates people (those who work in, and are customers of, aviation – including pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and passengers), organisations, aircraft, and aviation infrastructure.
· Carries out regulatory functions, including engagement, education, communication, certification, licensing, monitoring (including audit and inspection, screening of passengers and non-passengers), investigation and enforcement.
Dedicated to evolving as a modern, insights-led regulator, CAA is going through a period of transformation, simplification and standardisation of key processes and functions and strengthening collaboration internally, and with industry.
Reporting to the Director of Civil Aviation (Chief Executive) of CAA, the DCE Regulatory Enablement & Response will be responsible for senior system leadership of CAA’s Enablement & Incident Response function. They will be responsible for enabling CAA’s frontline regulatory and operational delivery; protecting New Zealanders from harm and across the aviation system. The role is trusted with promoting and enabling strong safety and security outcomes through the provision of advice and insights, education and engagement with industry, and for leading the organisation’s response to serious aviation incidents.
The incoming DCE will bring a depth of systems’ leadership experience, having partnered with a wide range of senior stakeholders across government, industry and with regulatory bodies. They will ideally have experience leading the insights/intelligence function in similarly complex, regulated environments with a strong safety and security focus. The successful candidate will be a contemporary people leader – capable of inspiring high performance and building trusting relationships at all levels. They will be strategic, nimble and collaborative – able to partner effectively across the business to drive positive and impactful organisational outcomes.
For more information or to apply, please contact Alex Nevil at Hobson Leavy Executive Search: nevil@hobsonleavy.com.
Applications close at 5pm on the 10th of December, 2025.
