Commercial Manager

Ferry Holdings Ltd; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferry Holdings Limited (FHL) is leading a national-scale infrastructure programme in New Zealand aimed at delivering safe, reliable and environmentally responsible transport assets by 2029. We seek a senior Commercial Manager to conclude and operationalise critical project agreements, working closely with KiwiRail, ports, advisors and government stakeholders.

The role demands strategic influence, practical delivery, and cross‑organisational leadership.

Qualifications

• Proven track record negotiating and managing major commercial agreements.
• Experience working with multi-party arrangements and external legal providers.
• Strong ability to translate complex commercial concepts into clear advice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the negotiation and conclusion of major commercial agreements with Delivery Partners.
• Embed organisation-wide understanding of roles, responsibilities and obligations under key commercial arrangements.
• Monitor commercial performance, identify risks early and support resolution of issues.
• Manage external legal service providers to ensure value for money and high-quality advice.
• Provide commercial insights to governance forums, including Board reporting and risk management.
• Support procurement planning, contract drafting and contract management across FHL.
• Provide commercial leadership across the programme, fostering strong commercial discipline and collaboration.

Skills

Negotiation of complex agreements

Multi-party arrangements

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Legal/Commercial translation

CIPS (beneficial)

Education

Law/Commerce/Business degree

Job description

Ferry Holdings Limited (FHL) was established in 2025 to deliver one of New Zealand’s most significant transport infrastructure programmes - the replacement of the Cook Strait ferries and the development of associated port infrastructure to support reliable inter-island connections for decades to come.

FHL is a Crown-owned Schedule 4A company that operates within the parameters set for it by the government and we are transparent and publicly accountable for the decisions we make. Our mandate is clear: to secure safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible rail-enabled ferries and the infrastructure required to support them, while delivering value for taxpayers. Working in partnership with ports, KiwiRail, shipyards and government stakeholders, FHL is leading the commercial negotiations and technical planning required to bring new ferries and associated infrastructure into service by 2029.

We are a small, agile organisation bringing together specialist expertise to deliver a complex, high-profile programme that is critical to New Zealand’s economic resilience, connectivity and sustainable future.

The Opportunity

As Commercial Manager, you’ll lead the conclusion, operationalisation and ongoing performance of FHL’s key commercial project agreements. You’ll work closely with KiwiRail, port companies, advisors, and government stakeholders to ensure agreements are robust, well‑understood, and delivering the outcomes FHL is mandated to achieve.

This is a senior, hands‑on commercial role where your ability to navigate complexity, influence across organisations, and provide clear, actionable advice will be critical.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead the negotiation and conclusion of major commercial agreements with Delivery Partners
• Embed organisation‑wide understanding of roles, responsibilities and obligations under key commercial arrangements
• Monitor commercial performance, identify risks early and support resolution of issues
• Manage external legal service providers to ensure value for money and high‑quality advice
• Provide commercial insights to governance forums, including Board reporting and risk management
• Support procurement planning, contract drafting and contract management across FHL
• Provide commercial leadership across the programme, fostering strong commercial discipline and collaboration

About You

You’ll bring a strong commercial background in major infrastructure, transport or capital delivery environments, along with:

• A proven track record negotiating and managing complex commercial agreements
• Experience working with multi‑party arrangements and external legal providers
• Strong commercial and legal acumen, with the ability to translate complexity into clear advice
• Confidence operating in ambiguity and in a fast‑paced, evolving programme environment
• Leadership experience within specialist or technical commercial teams
• A tertiary qualification in Law, Commerce, Business or similar (CIPS or equivalent beneficial)

This is your chance to Influence a nationally significant, high‑profile infrastructure programme. Work with a small, expert team where your impact is visible and valued, to help shape the commercial foundations of a programme that will serve New Zealand for decades.

Applications close 25th August 2026.