Sustainability Specialist - Policy & Delivery

Kia ora!

Play a key role in shaping a more sustainable future for Air New Zealand and Aotearoa. As a Sustainability Specialist, you'll help deliver meaningful environmental and commercial outcomes across one of New Zealand's most iconic organisations. This is your opportunity to influence key initiatives, partner with senior leaders and subject matter experts, and embed sustainability into how we operate, innovate and grow.

At Air New Zealand, we're committed to creating a better future for our people, customers, communities and the environment. As part of our Sustainability team, you'll contribute across decarbonisation, climate, environmental performance and broader sustainability priorities. Join a globally recognised airline known for innovation and customer experience, and help shape how sustainability creates long-term value for our business, the aviation sector and Aotearoa New Zealand.

How our Sustainability Specialists make an impact

• Shape sustainability strategies that align environmental commitments with long-term business value.
• Deliver initiatives that accelerate decarbonisation, improve environmental performance and support commercial outcomes.
• Translate sustainability trends, policy and data into practical advice that informs business decisions.
• Partner across the business to embed sustainability into strategy, planning and delivery.
• Provide reporting and recommendations that highlight progress, risks, opportunities and trade-offs.
• Strengthen sustainability frameworks, governance and partnerships to drive measurable impact.

Primary focus area

Working alongside Air New Zealand's Climate and Sustainability Lead, you'll help the airline anticipate, respond to and influence an evolving sustainability landscape. You'll work closely with Sustainability and Corporate Affairs teams to monitor climate, sustainability and Sustainable Aviation Fuel policy developments, help shape Air New Zealand's positions, and translate complex issues into practical advice that supports business decision-making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Monitor domestic and international climate, sustainability and Sustainable Aviation Fuel policy developments, identifying business implications, risks and opportunities.
• Maintain visibility of the external policy landscape, including consultations, regulatory changes and emerging market developments.
• Support sustainability policy positions, submissions and consultation responses with subject matter experts.
• Partner with Corporate Affairs to support evidence-based advocacy aligned with business priorities.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities that support strategic objectives.
• Translate policy and regulatory developments into practical business advice and implementation planning.
• Contribute technical expertise to sustainability communications, external positioning and strategic initiatives.
• Support broader climate and sustainability programmes as priorities evolve.

What we're looking for

You'll enjoy working at the intersection of sustainability, public policy, strategy and stakeholder engagement. You're comfortable building trusted relationships, influencing across complex organisations and turning complex issues into practical business outcomes.

You'll bring:

• Experience in sustainability, government, policy, corporate affairs, strategy, public affairs or a related advisory environment.
• Strong understanding of public policy, regulatory processes or external affairs, with the ability to translate emerging developments into practical business advice.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build credibility across internal and external audiences.
• Experience influencing outcomes through collaboration rather than direct authority.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing briefings, submissions, executive papers and presentations.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commercial judgement and a genuine commitment to creating long-term sustainability outcomes.

A tertiary qualification in sustainability, environmental management, public policy, law, communications, business, economics or a related discipline is preferred.

Ready for take-off?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to some of Air New Zealand's most important sustainability work, helping deliver practical outcomes for our business and the environment. If you're motivated by complex challenges, meaningful change and the future of aviation, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close 6th August 2026.

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."