General Manager Transport Infrastructure

Auckland Council; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working conditions

Well-being focus

Job summary

Auckland Council is seeking a General Manager Transport Infrastructure to lead the design, planning, delivery and performance of the region's transport infrastructure portfolio. You will translate government direction into executable plans and lead multidisciplinary teams across rail, road, cycling and urban design.

The role demands long-term strategic thinking, strong governance, and proven capability in delivering large-scale capital programmes with safety and value.

Qualifications

• 15 years' experience in infrastructure planning and major capital programmes within complex transport environments.
• 10 years' experience in senior leadership roles leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing executive-level decision-making.
• Experience in capital programme planning, prioritisation, and optimisation across large, multi-year portfolios.
• Strong understanding of the New Zealand transport sector, funding frameworks, and infrastructure investment system.
• Proven experience across public and private sectors with strong commercial and market awareness.
• Deep familiarity with central and local government processes, legislation and assurance requirements.
• History of building cohesive, high-performing teams and enabling collaboration across organisational boundaries.
• Strategic thinker with advanced problem-solving and analytical skills, able to lead organisational transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transport infrastructure portfolio in alignment with strategy, policy, and regional priorities.
• Convert long-term strategies into prioritised programmes and delivery roadmaps.
• Oversee delivery of significant capital programmes within scope, budget and timeframes.
• Accountable for the end-to-end integrated delivery system across planning, investment, and execution.
• Lead road assets management, maintenance contracts, and renewals for safety and value for money.
• Provide leadership oversight of rail and rapid transit infrastructure programmes and assets.
• Oversee consent planning, designation management, and regulatory approvals for timely delivery.
• Lead relationships with development partners, alliances, joint ventures and delivery partners.
• Set transport and urban design standards supporting safety, accessibility, and urban outcomes.
• Champion low carbon, environmental and climate transition initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Project management

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Job description

Job Description - General Manager Transport Infrastructure

• Lead the design, delivery and performance of Auckland's transport infrastructure, as governance reform brings the network back within Council
• Direct major capital programmes across roading, rail and rapid transit, and cycling infrastructure
• A rare opportunity to build and lead a significant new infrastructure function from the ground up

Mō mātou | About the organisation

Auckland Council is undertaking significant transport governance reform, bringing the planning, delivery and performance of the region's transport infrastructure back within Council. As part of this change, we are establishing a new senior leadership team to lead this critical work for Tāmaki Makaurau — and we are looking for a General Manager Transport Infrastructure to be part of it.

The General Manager Transport Infrastructure is responsible for leading the design, planning, delivery, and performance of Auckland Council's transport infrastructure portfolio, ensuring programmes and assets are delivered safely, effectively, and in alignment with agreed strategies, policies, and funding envelopes. The role translates organisational and government direction into integrated, executable plans, provides assurance over delivery and asset performance, and leads multidisciplinary teams and partners to achieve outcomes across rail and rapid transit infrastructure, road maintenance and renewals, cycling infrastructure, infrastructure project planning and delivery, consent planning, design standards and assets, and strategic development partnerships.

You will:

• Lead the transport infrastructure portfolio in alignment with organisational strategy, government policy, and regional priorities.
• Convert long-term strategies and investment plans into prioritised programmes of work and delivery roadmaps.
• Oversee the delivery of significant capital programmes and projects, ensuring outcomes are achieved within approved scope, budget, and timeframes.
• Be accountable for the end-to-end integrated delivery system across planning, investment, acquisition, consenting, sequencing and execution.
• Lead the management of road assets, maintenance contracts, and renewals programmes to ensure safety, resilience, and value for money.
• Provide leadership oversight of rail and rapid transit infrastructure programmes and assets.
• Oversee consent planning, designation management, and regulatory approvals required to enable timely project delivery.
• Lead operational relationships with development partners, alliancing arrangements, joint ventures, and delivery partners.
• Set and maintain transport and urban design standards that support safety, accessibility, and high-quality urban outcomes.
• Champion low carbon, environmental and climate transition innovations and outcomes.

Ko wai koe | About you

• 15 years' experience in infrastructure planning, investment management, or major capital programmes within complex transport environments.
• 10 years' experience in senior leadership roles, leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing executive-level decision-making.
• Experience in capital programme planning, prioritisation, and optimisation across large, multi-year portfolios.
• Strong understanding of the New Zealand transport sector, funding frameworks, and infrastructure investment system.
• Proven experience working across both public and private sectors, with strong commercial and market awareness.
• Deep familiarity with central and local government processes, legislation, and assurance requirements.
• A history of building cohesive, high-performing teams and enabling collaboration across organisational boundaries.
• A strategic thinker with advanced problem-solving and analytical skills, able to lead the execution of organisational transformation.

Our commitment to inclusion

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds who bring different perspectives to strengthen Auckland's transport outcomes for all Aucklanders.

We value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences and need people from all backgrounds and walks of life to help build the future of Auckland. Our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for improving Auckland as a place to live. All of our employees' points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement listed. What matters most is your ability to contribute to a purpose-driven environment where diverse experiences are valued. We know that transferable skills can come from experience gained from outside of work.

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well-being, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.

As part of our organisation, please view a range of our: benefits

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer. We serve the diverse communities of Tāmaki Makaurau and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds - regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, educational background, or religious beliefs. We also welcome applications from our Rainbow communities as well as disabled and neurodivergent people. We are committed to making our hiring process accessible to everyone. If you require any support or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

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