Group Leader - Central North Island

Stantec; Whanganui; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development programs

Professional memberships

Service recognition awards

Mentorship

Health insurance

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Group Leader for the Central North Island based in Palmerston North or Hastings. You will lead the regional water group, drive business development, and provide operational leadership for multi-site teams across Manawatu-Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Gisborne regions.

You will hold a professional engineering qualification with 15 years in the three waters sector, leading others, managing client relationships, and delivering projects.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience in business development and client management.
• Ability to lead a diverse range of professionals.
• Demonstrate excellent communications skills.
• Be collaborative by default.
• Have a forward looking approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive business development with regional Water clients.
• Provide operational leadership for Palmerston North and Hawke’s Bay Water teams.
• Direct Palmerston North and Hawke’s Bay Team Leads to maintain engagement.
• Deliver water infrastructure projects within your technical specialization.
• Collaborate to build long-term relationships with regional staff and clients.
• Assist workload forecasting and resource planning with the Business Leader.
• Collaborate with leaders on client relationships and major project pursuits.

Skills

Business development

Client management

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Group Leader - Central North Island - ( 260000O6 )

Description

Group Leader – Central North Island

He taonga te wai ka hāpaina ka whakamanatia e mātou. Water is precious and our people respect the responsibility this brings.

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure.

We are designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.

Ngā Mātāpono | Stantec Values

Manaakitanga | We put people first.

Kaitiakitanga | We do what is right.

Whanaungatanga | We are better together.

Kia tū Rangatira | We are driven to achieve

Due to our growing Water business, we are looking to fill a new Group Leader; Central North island role based in either our Palmerston North or Hastings office. In this key role, you’ll inspire, build and guide our regional water group covering the Central North island (includes Manawatu-Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Gisborne regions). You will have a successful track record in leading others, fostering client relationships, winning revenue and delivering projects. You’ll also bring your technical expertise to the table, providing leadership on water projects and supporting the Lower North Island Business Leader to drive exceptional outcomes across the region. You’ll hold a professional qualification in engineering with 15 years’ experience gained in the three waters sector, ideally with local regional knowledge.

Key aspects of the role will include:

• Lead and drive business development with our regional Water clients.

• Provide operational leadership to ensure delivery of the Palmerston North’s and Hawke’s Bay Water team’s project portfolio.

• Provides line management and direction to the Palmerston North and Hawke’s Bay Water Team Leads to ensure a highly engaged and productive team.

• Deliver water infrastructure projects within your technical specialisation

• Work collaboratively to build long term relationships with internal staff and clients within the region.

• Assist the Business Leader to ensure suitable workload forecasting and resource planning.

• Work with the Lower North Island Business Leader, other Group Leaders, Sector Leaders, Panel and Project Management leads where appropriate in key client relationships, strategic project pursuits and major project leadership

About you:

• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering or related discipline coupled with experience in the market

• Experienced in business development and client management

• Ability to lead a diverse range of professionals

• Demonstrate excellent communications skills

• Be collaborative by default

• Have a forward looking approach

What we offer

At Stantec, we take your growth and fulfilment seriously. We’re proud to offer many supportive benefits, including:

Professional development and support

• Flexible working arrangements, including purchasing up to an extra four weeks of leave and provision for school term contracts, part-time, and job sharing

• Learning and talent development programmes, including global, online, and on-the-job opportunities

• Professional memberships

• Service recognition awards

• Mentorship

Wellbeing and connection opportunities

• Health insurance, income continuance insurance, and life insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Developing Professionals Group, a global network for those with under 10 years of experience

• Office Social Club and event

About Stantec

We’ve been serving our clients and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand for over 125 years. With almost 900 professionals, our team is based in the main cities and throughout the regions. We collaborate across disciplines and sectors to bring buildings, energy, water, environmental, and transport projects to life.

Globally, Stantec unites approximately 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across six continents. Our work from initial project concept and planning through design, construction, and commissioning begins at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships.

Applications close Friday 13th November 2026

Qualifications

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Primary Location : New Zealand-Manawatu-Wanganui-Palmerston North

Other Locations : New Zealand-Hawkes Bay-Hastings

Organization : BC-3101 Water-NZ New Zealand

Employee Status : Regular

Job Level : Individual Contributor

Travel : No

Schedule : Full-time

Job Posting : Oct 22, 2026, 10:09:18 PM

Req ID: 260000O6

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. EEO including Disability/Protected Veterans