Business Delivery & Transformation Manager

Belaire Ferries; Upper Harbour; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Belaire Ferries Limited, now part of the Kelsian Group, seeks a Business Delivery & Transformation Manager in Auckland, NZ for a 14-month fixed-term role. You will lead crews, govern contracts and drive operational performance to support growth of Auckland Transport contracts, with transformation programs ahead of major Western Package opportunities.

You will guide safety, reliability and customer-focused ferry services, aligning with Kelsian standards and NZ regulations while delivering on the

Qualifications

• Experience leading diverse operational teams in regulated environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with government agencies and clients.
• Proven ability to drive safety, reliability and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Support the GM – Auckland with Auckland Transport relationships and contract governance.
• Ensure contract obligations, KPIs and reporting requirements are understood and delivered.
• Provide leadership to on-water teams, set expectations for safety, reliability and customer service.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensure capability and execution of weekly plans.
• Drive high-performance culture focused on safety and continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic oversight of marine operations, fleet performance and asset management.
• Ensure vessels comply with Maritime NZ requirements and group standards.
• Support the development and management of the annual business plan with alignment to contracts.

Skills

People management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Contract governance

Safety & compliance

Transformation/change management

Decision making

Crisis management

Job description

Business Delivery & Transformation Manager

Due to Parental leave a 14 month fixed term role as the Business Delivery & Transformation Manager – Auckland, NZ is available to be a leading part of Belaire Ferries expansion. Now part of the Kelsian group, we are ramping up to double our Auckland Transport contracted operations. With 2 new services, additional boats coming online and a major recruitment of crew ahead of us this 14 month fixed term role is offering more than just business as usual.

This role will be responsible for the crew leadership, contract governance and operational performance of Belaire Ferries Limited / Kelsian Group ferry operations, with accountability for successful delivery of the Auckland Transport ferry contracts. The role will additionally be supporting significant growth and transformation of the business and operations in readiness for the Western Package contract and integration in Kelsian Group.

The role ensures the operation delivers safe, reliable, customer-focused and commercially sustainable ferry services in accordance with the Auckland Transport contracts, Kelsian Group standards, Maritime New Zealand requirements, the approved Business Plan, contract commitments and applicable laws.

Key responsibilities

• Support the GM – Auckland, NZ with Auckland Transport relationship, maintaining a constructive, transparent, Commercially/Operational and Customer focused disciplined relationship
• Ensure the contracts, approved Business Plan, contract commitments, reporting requirements, KPIs, service obligations and contract notices are understood, implemented and monitored
• Provide strong, visible leadership to the on-water team and set clear expectations for safety, reliability, customer service, maintenance, and compliance
• Ensure the local team has the capability, authority and support required to manage day-to-day and week-to-week operations effectively
• Support and build a high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability, continuous improvement, customer outcomes and disciplined contract delivery
• Provide strategic oversight of marine operations, fleet performance, maintenance, crewing, asset management and service reliability
• Ensure vessels are maintained, surveyed, crewed, equipped and operated in accordance with Maritime New Zealand requirements, the MTOC, MTOP, certificates of survey and Kelsian Group standards
• Support the development and management of the annual business plan, ensuring alignment with the Auckland Transport contracts, Kelsian Group strategy, governance and approved financial targets
• Ensure the Auckland operation delivers a safe, reliable, punctual, accessible and customer-focused public transport ferry service

About you

• High-level people management skills, with the ability to lead diverse operational team
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with Auckland Transport, regulators, government agencies, employees, customers, suppliers and community stakeholders
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, contract governance and public transport service delivery capability
• Strong proven experience in supporting transformation and change in an organisation
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, communication and crisis management skills
• Demonstrated ability to drive safety, compliance, operational excellence and continuous improvement
• Previous experience in a marine, transport, logistics, infrastructure, public transport or similarly regulated operational business
• Experience supporting major client relationships, government contracts, service delivery contracts or public sector stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience managing safety-critical operations in a highly regulated environment

About us

Belaire Ferries Limited operate Auckland ferry services under contract with Auckland Transport. The business is now part of the Kelsian Group and operates in accordance with Kelsian standards, Maritime New Zealand requirements and applicable New Zealand laws. We are about to experience significant growth and transformation in readiness for the AT Western Package ferry services from July 2027.