Contract Manager (Connections) - Non-Standard

Orion; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

Flexible locations

Wellbeing allowance

Holiday house Hanmer

Job summary

Orion is seeking a Contract Manager to own medium to large-scale infrastructure projects across subdivisions, coordinating with customers, contractors and internal teams from concept to completion.

You’ll redefine processes, apply technical judgement, manage risk, and ensure delivery outcomes while balancing customer needs with network capability. Flexible working arrangements with head office in Burnside and satellite offices; must have right to work in New Zealand.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Ability to influence and align stakeholders across multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• 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 and course-correct proactively.

Skills

Infrastructure project delivery

Commercial acumen

NZ Electrical registration

Stakeholder management

Job description

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

• 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!

We are truly committed to diversity, inclusion and lifting our cultural capability. You don't need to be knowledgeable in these areas, but you do need to be on board with learning.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this job.

Pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.