Contract Manager (Connections) - non-standard

Orion Group; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Five extra days of leave

Wellbeing allowance

Holiday house in Hanmer

Job summary

Orion Group is seeking a Contract Manager (Connections) to lead medium to large-scale network connection projects across subdivisions in Canterbury. You will own contracts from concept to completion, balancing customer needs with network capability and working with customers, contractors and internal teams.

You will bring strong commercial awareness, NZ regulatory understanding, and a proven ability to navigate ambiguity while driving delivery and value for the community.

Qualifications

• Experience managing medium-to-large projects within infrastructure, energy, utilities or construction.
• Strong commercial awareness and decision-making under ambiguity.
• Ability to build credibility quickly with customers, contractors and internal teams.
• Knowledge of NZ Electricity Authority relevant codes and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of project contracts from concept through to completion.
• Navigate complex connection requirements and balance customer needs with network capability.
• Lead problem-solving discussions and drive practical, commercially sound solutions.
• Collaborate across design, tendering and delivery functions to enable timely outcomes.
• Influence stakeholders to align priorities and ensure seamless delivery.
• Continuously seek process improvements to enhance delivery performance.

Skills

Contract management

Stakeholder management

NZ regulations understanding

Commercial acumen

Project delivery

Job description

Contract Manager (Connections) - non-standard

Job ad reference: JOB/1950397

Category Engineering - Electricity Network

Step into a role where you'll be at the centre of delivering complex, high-value network connections that power growing communities. As Contract Manager (non-standard) you'll take ownership of medium to large-scale projects primarily across subdivisions, working closely with customers, contractors and internal teams to bring new connections to life from concept through to completion.

This is a role that blends technical insight, commercial awareness and strong relationship management. You'll navigate complex connection requirements, lead problem-solving conversations and help shape practical solutions that balance customer needs with network capability.

With exposure to design, tendering and delivery, you'll play a key role in delivering infrastructure that enables growth and delivers lasting value.

About us

Passionate, curious, and innovative are a few words that describe our people. We are powering the future, connecting communities, and igniting innovation. Orion owns and operates the electricity distribution network that provides power to central Canterbury. As the third largest electricity distribution network in New Zealand, we cover remote rural areas, regional towns, and the city of Christchurch.

We are an essential service and take our responsibilities seriously. We are community owned and working here means a career with meaning and purpose that makes a difference in your very own neighbourhood.

The role

• Elevate delivery performance by redefining processes and driving smarter ways of working
• Apply sharp technical judgement to navigate complexity and make high-impact decisions
• Take ownership of outcomes while ensuring projects stay on track and deliver real results
• Influence across the business to align priorities and drive seamless delivery
• Anticipate challenges before they arise and proactively course-correct
• Continuously raise the bar, challenging the status quo to unlock smarter and for efficient outcomes

About you

• Depth of experience in a similar role or environment (infrastructure, energy, utilities or construction) with a New Zealand Electrical registration or equivalent
• Strong commercial awareness, balancing customer needs with practical delivery outcomes
• Build credibility quickly and influence others to align around the right path forward
• Comfortable making decisions and working through ambiguity
• Understanding of the NZ Regulatory environment, in particular the Electricity Authority - Code of Compliance
• Have a solid understanding of how our network, standards, and processes come together
• A high level of attention to detail and a customer centric approach

We offer

You'll find at Orion, you can come as you are and just be you. You will be joining a workplace that values who you are, the work you do, and the way you think. Importantly, we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements, and flexible locations with our Head office in Burnside and satellite offices in Rolleston and Ferrymead
• Five extra days of leave a year - three days of “My Days” leave and two “Orion Days” between Christmas and New Year
• A broad range of workplace benefits from a wellbeing allowance to access to our holiday house in Hanmer!

You might be surprised to find out that the company that brings the power to your home is innovative, inclusive, progressive, and quite good fun.