Chief Executive

Sheffield Group; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 280,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield Group – Christchurch, South Island is seeking a Chief Executive to lead a new joint water organisation (JWO) in Aotearoa. The role oversees establishment, governance, and readiness for operation from 1 July 2027, reporting to the Board and building the leadership team and culture.

The CE will engage with Mana Whenua, regulators, and communities, guiding strategic direction while shaping an enduring public service in Timaru and Mackenzie districts.

Qualifications

• Senior leaders with experience in public accountability or regulated environments.
• Experience leading the establishment or transformation of complex organisations.
• Strong stakeholder and board engagement capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of the Establishment Plan to achieve full operational readiness by the target date.
• Stand up the organisation's operating model including systems, governance, and organisational structure.
• Manage financial planning, budgeting and reporting through establishment and early operations.
• Lead transfer of staff, assets, data and contracts from shareholding councils to the new entity.
• Collaborate with the Board to set strategic direction and maintain clear governance–management boundaries.
• Ensure compliance with Taumata Arowai, the Commerce Commission, and the Department of Internal Affairs.
• Build a capable, values-led leadership team and an culture reflecting the communities served.
• Maintain trusted relationships with Shareholder Councils, Mana Whenua, regulators, customers, and the public.

Skills

Senior leadership

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector experience

Transformation leadership

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Sheffield Group – Christchurch, South Island

A rare opportunity to lead a transformational chapter in Aotearoa’s water services

Establish a new joint CCO serving the Timaru and Mackenzie districts

Permanent appointment

Attractive remuneration package

About the Organisation:

Central South Island Water Limited is a new council-controlled organisation being established by Timaru and Mackenzie District Councils under the Government's Local Water Done Well reforms. It will take over delivery of drinking water and wastewater services across the Timaru and Mackenzie districts from 1 July 2027. The organisation is expected to hold assets worth close to half a billion dollars, with responsibility for essential services for current and future generations.

About The Role:

This is a rare opportunity to shape an organisation from inception and lead it well beyond. This role has been repositioned to a permanent appointment and as Chief Executive you will lead the JWO through its establishment phase, building the systems, frameworks, culture, and teams required for operational readiness from 1 July 2027, before leading the organisation on an ongoing basis through steady-state operations and beyond.

Reporting to the Board of Directors via the Chairperson, you will hold accountability for everything from strategic direction and organisational capability-building to regulatory compliance, service delivery, and authentic engagement with mana whenua and the wider community.

The Mackenzie and Timaru Districts together form one of New Zealand's most distinctive regions – with a combined total of 10,197 square kilometres across the Southern Alps, the Mackenzie Basin and the coastal plains of the Timaru District.

What You’ll Be Doing

Leading development and delivery of the Establishment Plan, ensuring the JWO reaches full operational readiness on time and to standard

Standing up the organisation's operating model - systems, policies, governance frameworks, employment arrangements, and organisational structure

Managing financial planning, budgeting, reporting through establishment and into early operations

Leading the transfer of staff, assets, data, and contracts from the shareholding councils into the new entity

Working alongside the Board to set strategic direction and ensure strong governance–management boundaries from the outset

Ensuring compliance with all statutory and regulatory obligations for Taumata Arowai, the Commerce Commission, and the Department of Internal Affairs

Building a capable, values-led leadership team and an organisational culture that reflects the communities the JWO serves

Maintaining trusted relationships with both Shareholder Councils, Mana Whenua, regulators, customers, and the public

What You’ll Bring

Candidates of interest will be senior leaders in local government, CCOs, regulated utilities, infrastructure, or commercial organisations, ideally with direct experience leading the establishment or transformation of complex organisations. We are looking for an exceptional leader with:

Proven senior executive leadership

in complex, publicly accountable, or regulated environments - CEO, GM, or equivalent.

Demonstrated experience leading organisational establishment, major transition, or transformation

- getting things done in tight timeframes.

Strong commercial and financial acumen

including infrastructure asset management, capital investment, and financial sustainability.

Sound understanding of public sector or CCO governance

and the ability to maintain a clear and effective governance–management interface.

Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills

- credible with elected members, regulators, Mana Whenua, and communities.

The cultural competence and genuine empathy

to build enduring, respectful partnerships with Iwi and Papatipu Rūnaka.

Personal resilience and sound judgement

to lead through ambiguity and deliver in a high-stakes, high-visibility environment.

Experience in water services, utilities, or local government would be an advantage. A genuine connection and willingness to be based in South Canterbury or the Mackenzie region will be well regarded.

Why This Role Matters

This is a legacy role. The CE will shape an organisation that will deliver essential services to the communities of Timaru and Mackenzie for generations. You'll work with two committed councils, a focused Board, and a clear mandate and you'll have the opportunity to build something that matters.

The region is remarkable. The JWO is one of the more ambitious pieces of water reform in the South Island. The right person will see this not just as a job but as a chapter worth being part of.

For more information please phone Louise Green on [phone].