Manager, Transport Strategy

Bay-of-Plenty-Regional-Counci; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working culture

Leadership development

Competitive remuneration and leave

Job summary

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council in Tauranga is seeking a Manager, Transport Strategy to lead regional transport planning and its statutory processes. You will connect transport with spatial planning, oversee a pipeline of improvements for passenger services and align priorities with partner organisations.

You will report to the Director of Public Transport, lead a high‑performing team, and coach staff to deliver complex programmes while upholding Toi Moana values.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant, transport-oriented discipline and a current valid driver's licence.
• 10 years of relevant experience, including at least six years' leadership experience.
• Strong technical foundation in passenger transport planning, policy development and transport system planning.
• Demonstrated strategic and operational leadership with coaching and delivery of complex programmes.
• Experience working with partner agencies and stakeholder networks to build trust and secure support.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of regional transport plans and investment pipelines.
• Oversee regional transport strategy, planning and statutory processes.
• Collaborate with local and central government, iwi and partners to align priorities.
• Provide policy advice to senior leaders and Councillors, and present to stakeholders.
• Represent the council externally on transport system design and operations.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Education

Bachelors degree in transport-oriented discipline

Job description

• Based in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
• Fixed term (30 months), full time role
• Pivotal senior leadership role shaping the Bay of Plenty transport system
• Lead statutory transport planning, system design and the investment pipeline
• Build strong partnerships to deliver integrated regional transport outcomes

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) is committed to its' vision of thriving together through the delivery of strong community outcomes. It is our people and their commitment to first class leadership and high performing teams which leads to this delivery.

The Bay of Plenty is growing and changing, creating complex transport challenges and opportunities. Strong regional planning, well-aligned investment and an integrated approach across partner organisations are essential to shaping a transport system that supports our communities now and into the future.

This role sits at the centre of that work. You will lead the development and implementation of regional transport plans, connect transport and spatial planning, and oversee a pipeline of network and service improvements for Council's passenger transport services. You will work across organisational and agency boundaries to align priorities, investment and delivery expectations.

We are looking for a Manager, Transport Strategy who can combine strategic thinking, technical credibility and a strong delivery focus. Reporting to the Director, Public Transport, you will lead the Transport Strategy function and its statutory planning, transport system design and investment work, while supporting, coaching and enabling a high-performing team.

As a senior leader in our Transport function, it goes without saying that you'll lead in a way that reflects our Toi Moana Values and Te Pae Rangatira leadership framework, and prioritise the coaching and development of your team, ensuring they are supported to succeed.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the Transport Strategy function to deliver the strategic transport outcomes set out in Council's Annual and Long-Term Plans.
• Leading the collaborative development, implementation and monitoring of the Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan.
• Working with local government, central government, iwi and other partners to align regional priorities, investment programmes and delivery expectations.
• Connecting transport and spatial planning to ensure strong strategic alignment for the Bay of Plenty transport system.
• Overseeing a pipeline of passenger transport network and service improvements, including complex planning, policy, business case and project work.
• Providing clear policy and specialist technical advice to senior leaders and Councillors, and presenting reports to Council, stakeholders and the public.
• Representing Toi Moana externally on transport system design, transport operations and wider transport sector matters.
• Understanding and acting within the political operating environment, proactively addressing issues and tailoring advice to the audience.
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant, transport-oriented discipline and a current valid driver's licence.
• 10 years of relevant experience, including at least six years' leadership experience.
• A strong technical foundation in passenger transport planning, policy development and transport system planning.
• Demonstrated strategic and operational leadership, with the ability to coach and enable teams to deliver complex programmes and outcomes.
• Proven success working with partner agencies and complex stakeholder networks to build trust, co-design solutions and secure support for a shared direction.
• Excellent critical analysis, influencing, negotiation, written communication and presentation skills, including the ability to make complex issues clear for different audiences.
• Political and community awareness, personal resilience, sound judgement and confidence working with competing priorities in complex situations.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and local government planning and financial reporting requirements.
• A solution-oriented mindset, with a focus on results and sustainable long-term transport outcomes.
• A commitment to living the Toi Moana values of trust, integrity, courage, manaakitanga, kotahitanga and whanaungatanga.

Ko wai mātou | Who we are

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for land, air and water as well as public transport and economic development. A major focus of our work involves looking after the environment. We manage the effects of people's use of freshwater, land, air and coastal water. However, we also have a broader responsibility with others for the economic, social and cultural well-being of the regional community.

We are a values-driven organisation, that really cares about our people. Who you are is important to us and we welcome diversity as an opportunity to grow our teams and are keen to support people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions and abilities. We want Toi Moana to be a place where you bring your whole self to work.

Highlights of working with us include:

• Varied and challenging work that makes a positive difference to our communities and their environment.
• A high-performing Leadership Team who are genuinely invested in our region’s resilience and sustainability.
• High quality and tailored leadership development.
• Flexible working culture and supportive and collaborative work environment.
• A competitive remuneration and leave package, including extra paid leave over Christmas / New Year period and employer paid life and income protection insurance as well as discounted group health insurance

NB: To apply for this job, you must have the legal right to be able to work in New Zealand and also a current, valid driver's licence.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may commence before the closing date. We may close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is identified.

Applications close 5pm, Friday 6 November 2026and will only be accepted online.