Head of Portfolio, Performance & Strategic Programmes

Thames--coromandel-District-Council; Waikato; On-site; NZD 153,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Flexible working options

Annual performance and remuneration

Subsidised health insurance

Birthday leave

Work–life balance day every six months

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee wellbeing programme

Free health checks, training and教育 at年

Boost discounts and special offers

Job summary

Waikato District Council is seeking a senior leader to fill the role of Head of Portfolio, Performance & Strategic Programmes. This newly established position sits at the centre of how the Council plans, prioritises, invests, measures success and delivers transformational change across the organisation.

Reporting to the General Manager Enterprise Optimisation & Services, you will lead enterprise-wide strategy, portfolio governance and performance disciplines, guiding executives and elected

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in enterprise planning, strategy, or portfolio management.
• Proven ability to influence executive and governance-level decision making.
• Experience leading organisational transformation and investment programmes.
• Strong portfolio governance, prioritisation and performance management.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial acumen and systems-thinking ability.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Relevant qualifications in business, strategy, planning, public administration, commerce or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead Council's enterprise strategy, planning and organisational performance functions.
• Establish and evolve portfolio governance, prioritisation and investment frameworks.
• Oversee strategic portfolios and major programmes of work.
• Drive organisational performance, benefits realisation and continuous improvement.
• Support Executive Leadership and elected members with strategic insights and decision-making.
• Build organisational capability in planning, portfolio management and performance disciplines.
• Lead a team of experienced planning, portfolio and performance professionals.

Job description

Head of Portfolio, Performance & Strategic Programmes

At Waikato District Council, we're building a high-performing, future-focused organisation that delivers meaningful outcomes for our communities. We're looking for an exceptional strategic leader to join our Executive Leadership team as Head of Portfolio, Performance & Strategic Programmes.

The opportunity

This newly established role sits at the centre of how Council plans, prioritises, invests, measures success, and delivers transformational change across the organisation. It is a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts.

Reporting to the General Manager Enterprise Optimisation & Services, you'll join our Executive Leadership team in a pivotal role turning ambition into action and helping shape the future of Waikato District Council.

What will I do?

You’ll provide enterprise-wide leadership across strategy, planning, portfolio governance, organisational performance, change, innovation and strategic programme delivery.

You'll ensure Council maintains a clear line of sight from community aspirations through to organisational delivery, helping leaders make informed decisions about priorities, investment, resources and performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading Council's enterprise strategy, planning and organisational performance functions.
• Establishing and evolving portfolio governance, prioritisation and investment frameworks.
• Overseeing strategic portfolios and major programmes of work.
• Driving organisational performance, benefits realisation and continuous improvement.
• Supporting Executive Leadership and elected members with strategic insights and decision-making.
• Building organisational capability in planning, portfolio management and performance disciplines.
• Leading a team of experienced planning, portfolio and performance professionals.

What will I bring?

We're seeking a proven senior leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery expertise.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience leading enterprise planning, strategy, portfolio management or organisational performance functions.
• A track record of influencing executive and governance-level decision making.
• Experience leading complex organisational transformation and investment programmes.
• Strong portfolio governance, prioritisation and performance management capability.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial acumen and systems-thinking ability.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Relevant qualifications in business, strategy, planning, public administration, commerce or related discipline (or equivalent experience).

Why join our team?

At Waikato District Council, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead work that directly impacts communities across the district
• Influence long-term organisational strategy and investment decisions
• Drive meaningful organisational transformation
• Work alongside talented leaders committed to public service excellence
• Help shape the future of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing regions

This is a rare opportunity to leave a lasting legacy through strategic leadership, innovation and delivery excellence.

Additional Information

Salary circa $170K dependent on skills and experience.

Waikato District Council offers a range of benefits to employees:

• Enjoy free parking.
• Make work, work for you with flexible working options.
• Benefit from annual performance and remuneration reviews.
• Access subsidised health insurance.
• Celebrate with a day of birthday leave.
• Receive a work–life balance day every six months after your first year.
• Access confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Take advantage of our employee wellbeing programme.
• Receive free health checks, training and education at our annual Work Safe Home Safe event.
• Save with Boost discounts and special offers from New Zealand retailers and service providers.

Please note we will be screening applications as they come through.

We have a strong safety culture and as part of this our preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment medical assessment which includes alcohol and drug testing.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Location(s) Ngaaruawaahia

Expertise Portfolio Management, Project Management