General Manager Bus & Ferry Services

Auckland Transport; Kumeu; On-site; NZD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Transport is seeking an accomplished executive leader to take on the General Manager Bus & Ferry Services role. You will oversee the delivery and performance of Auckland's bus and ferry network, managing a contracted service portfolio over 800 million and partnering with industry, government and community stakeholders to deliver safe, reliable journeys.

This role blends strategic oversight with operational excellence, requiring strong commercial acumen and a relentless focus on customer

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading large-scale operational, service-delivery or transport-related functions.
• Proven success leading teams in complex, customer-centric environments.
• Strong experience managing commercial partnerships, contracts and stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated success delivering operational improvement, transformation or major change initiatives.
• Well-developed commercial, risk management and performance management capability.
• Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation and influencing skills.
• A collaborative and authentic leadership style with a passion for developing people and lifting organisational performance.
• Experience delivering obligations under Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational performance of Auckland's bus and ferry network, ensuring safe, reliable and customer-focused services across the region.
• Drive accountability and performance across a significant contracted service portfolio, balancing commercial outcomes with public value.
• Oversee major service transitions, network enhancements and operational initiatives, ensuring seamless implementation and delivery.
• Champion the performance and optimisation of critical public transport infrastructure and operational assets.
• Build trusted partnerships with operators, industry stakeholders, regulators and government agencies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of safety, innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Operational leadership

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

People leadership

Job description

• Influence the future of transport in Tāmaki Makaurau.
• Lead a critical public service relied upon by hundreds of thousands every day.
• Join Auckland Transport's focused public transport team and make a city-wide impact.

TeWhiwhingamahi | The opportunity

Shape the future of public transport. Drive operational excellence. Deliver services relied upon by hundreds of thousands of Aucklanders every day.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of Aucklanders rely on public transport to connect them to work, education, family and opportunity. As General Manager Bus & Ferry Services, you will play a critical role in ensuring those journeys are safe, reliable and customer-focused.

Leading one of New Zealand's largest and most complex public transport operations, you will oversee the delivery and performance of Auckland's bus and ferry network, managing a contracted service portfolio exceeding $800 million and working alongside key industry, government and community partners to deliver exceptional outcomes for Auckland.

This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership, commercial acumen and operational excellence in a role that directly influences the daily lives of Aucklanders and supports the long-term growth of our city.

What You'll Lead

• Lead the operational performance of Auckland's bus and ferry network, ensuring safe, reliable and customer-focused services across the region.
• Drive accountability and performance across a significant contracted service portfolio, balancing commercial outcomes with public value.
• Oversee major service transitions, network enhancements and operational initiatives, ensuring seamless implementation and delivery.
• Champion the performance and optimisation of critical public transport infrastructure and operational assets.
• Build trusted partnerships with operators, industry stakeholders, regulators and government agencies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team while fostering a culture of safety, innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.

Nātāurourou| What will you bring?

You are an accomplished executive leader with a track record of delivering results within large-scale, customer-focused operational environments. Whether your background is in transport, infrastructure, utilities, logistics, aviation or another complex service delivery sector, you understand how to balance strategic priorities with operational execution while leading through influence, collaboration and performance.

You bring sound commercial judgement, strong stakeholder management capability and the ability to navigate complexity while maintaining a relentless focus on customer outcomes.

You'llalso bring:

• Significant experience leading large-scale operational, service delivery or transport-related functions.
• Proven success leading teams in complex, customer-centric environments.
• Strong experience managing commercial partnerships, contracts and stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated success delivering operational improvement, transformation or major change initiatives.
• Well-developed commercial, risk management and performance management capability.
• Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making capability in complex operational environments.
• A collaborative and authentic leadership style with a passion for developing people and lifting organisational performance.
• Experience delivering obligations under Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).

At Auckland Transport, people are at the heart of everything we do.We'reproud to foster a workplace where inclusionisn'tjust encouraged— it'sembedded in our culture. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, valued, and supported. Our values guide how we work and connect:Manaakitanga- we care deeply for our communities;Tiakitanga- we prioritise safety in every journey; Whanaungatanga - we build strong relationships; andAuahatanga- we strive to be better, bolder, together.

Join a high-performing and future-focused leadership team, collaborating with senior executives who are driving strategic change and shaping the future of transport inTāmakiMakaurau.

For a confidential discussion or for more information pleaseget in touch withRennie Sharma, Talent Acquisition Business [e-mail]

Wetiakiall those who use transport inTāmakiMakaurau.