Chief Executive

Sheffield Group; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Central South Island Water Limited is inviting a senior leader to form and lead the new organisation as Chief Executive, guiding the establishment phase and transitioning to ongoing operations from 1 July 2027. You will report to the Board and shape systems, governance, culture and capability for Timaru and Mackenzie districts.

The role demands high‑level governance, stakeholder engagement with mana whenua and regulators, and a strong commercially driven approach to delivery of essential water

Qualifications

• Extensive senior executive leadership in complex, publicly accountable or regulated settings.
• Proven experience leading establishment, major transition or transformation initiatives.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen including asset management and sustainability.
• Solid governance understanding and interface management between governance and management.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement with elected members, regulators, mana whenua and communities.
• Cultural competence and empathy to build enduring partnerships with Iwi and hapū.
• Personal resilience and sound judgement to lead in ambiguity and high‑visibility environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of the Establishment Plan for timely readiness of the JWO.
• Stand up the operating model: systems, policies, governance, employment arrangements, organisational structure.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting and reporting through establishment and early operations.
• Manage staff, assets, data and contracts transfer from shareholding councils.
• Collaborate with the Board to set strategic direction and governance boundaries.
• Ensure compliance with Taumata Arowai, Commerce Commission and DIA requirements.
• Build a values‑led leadership team and an organisation culture reflecting communities.
• Maintain trusted relationships with Shareholder Councils, Mana Whenua, regulators and customers.

Skills

Senior leadership

Establishment/Transformation

Commercial acumen

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Cultural competence

Resilience

Job description

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.