Head of Programme Management

Tiaki Wai Limited; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

WFH up to 2 days

Wellbeing programme with a day

Professional development opportunities

5 weeks annual leave after 2 years

Job summary

Tiaki Wai is seeking a Head of Programme Management to lead the Programme and Project Management function and its people, shaping delivery frameworks and governance across the capital programme.

You will oversee resource strategy, capability development, and establish a Centre of Excellence while ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and stakeholder needs.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in a related discipline.
• Certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, Agile.
• Extensive experience leading infrastructure or capital programme and project delivery.
• Proven ability to establish, improve or embed project management frameworks.
• Experience operating within complex governance environments with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Programme and Project Management function, creating a high-performing, collaborative and accountable delivery culture.
• Drive governance, assurance, risk, commercial and project management practices across the capital programme.
• Influence complex delivery outcomes, providing leadership on high-risk projects and strategic resourcing.
• Shape the Project Management Centre of Excellence with methodologies, standards and tools.
• Develop capability through coaching, workforce planning, succession and professional development.

Skills

Leadership

Governance

Project management

Strategic resourcing

Workforce planning

Coaching

Procurement

Budgeting

Education

Tertiary qualification in project management

Project management certification (PMP/PRINCE2/Agile)

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week, based in our Petone office

The opportunity

As Head of Programme Management, you'll lead the Programme and Project Management function, with responsibility for its people, capability, professional standards and overall performance.

You'll lead the Project Management Centre of Excellence, shape delivery frameworks and methodologies, strengthen governance and assurance, and drive greater consistency and maturity across project delivery. You'll also oversee workforce planning and strategic resourcing, ensuring capability aligns with the scale, complexity and future needs of the capital programme.

With significant organisational visibility and the opportunity to influence delivery at scale, this is a chance to build something lasting, developing the people, practices and culture that will support Tiaki Wai's capital programme now and into the future.

You will:

• Lead the Programme and Project Management function, creating a high-performing, collaborative and accountable delivery culture.
• Drive consistent governance, assurance, risk, commercial and project management practices across the capital programme.
• Influence complex delivery outcomes, providing leadership and support on high-risk projects, commercial challenges and strategic resourcing.
• Shape the Project Management Centre of Excellence, setting methodologies, standards, tools, controls and expectations for project delivery.
• Develop programme and project management capability through coaching, workforce planning, succession and professional development.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in project management, engineering, construction, business or a related discipline.
• A recognised project management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, Agile or equivalent.
• Extensive experience leading infrastructure or capital programme and project delivery, including leadership of professional Project Managers.
• Demonstrated success establishing, improving or embedding project management frameworks, methodologies and consistent delivery practices.
• Strong experience operating within complex governance environments and across multi-stakeholder programmes or portfolios.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including procurement, contract management, budgeting, risk and commercial decision-making.

At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangements including up to 2 days working from home
• Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
• Formal and informal professional development opportunities
• 5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service

For a full list of our employee benefits click here.

About us

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.

We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long-term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.

Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.

Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.