National Manager Commercial Delivery

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks’ annual leave

Income protection

Critical illness insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency invites a senior leader to shape and deliver commercial strategy across a multi‑billion-dollar transport portfolio. Based in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch, you will steer procurement, contracting and risk management to optimise value for money and delivery outcomes.

Reporting to the Group General Manager Infrastructure Development and Delivery, you will build capability, lead high-performing teams and influence across stakeholders to balance cost,

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience delivering outcomes in large, complex environments.
• Strong commercial acumen in major infrastructure delivery.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and stakeholders across organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial delivery across a multi‑billion-dollar transport portfolio.
• Oversee procurement models, contracting and risk management.
• Build capability and lead teams to improve delivery efficiency and value for money.
• Influence sector suppliers and partners to drive delivery pace.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic thinking

Commercial delivery

Procurement

Contracting

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Influence

Job description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Shape commercial delivery across a complex, multi-billion-dollar transport infrastructure portfolio. Drive sector efficiency and value for money through commercial expertise and influence. Critical leadership role based in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch.

Few roles offer this breadth of commercial influence over NewZealand’s transport infrastructure. As National Manager Commercial Delivery, you will shape how a multi‑billion‑dollar portfolio of significant transport projects is procured, contracted and commercially supported through delivery. The scale and complexity demand strategic judgement, strong leadership and the ability to bring people together around better outcomes for NewZealand. Reporting to the Group General Manager Infrastructure Development and Delivery, and as a member of the Group Leadership Team, you will set the direction for Commercial Delivery and grow the capability of its people. Working alongside planning and delivery leaders, you will embed commercial thinking early and carry it through the project lifecycle, balancing cost, risk and delivery certainty across a diverse national capital programme. Your influence will extend beyond NZTA. A central part of the opportunity is helping the construction sector deliver significant transport projects more efficiently. Through strategic procurement, meaningful market engagement and clearer visibility of the forward pipeline, you will help improve how work is packaged and sequenced, how risk is allocated, and how supply chain capacity is developed. This is an opportunity to strengthen commercial discipline while building the trusted relationships and sector capability needed to drive delivery pace, confidence and value for money. You will find a copy of the Position Description here. The role can be based in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

You combine commercial depth with the leadership presence to influence complex decisions and build commitment across organisational and sector boundaries. Comfortable working at both strategic and delivery levels, you can turn competing priorities into clear direction, develop capable teams and build credibility with senior leaders, delivery partners and suppliers. To be successful in this role, you will bring: Demonstrated senior leadership experience delivering outcomes in large, complex environments, with the ability to set direction and develop people and capability. Strong commercial acumen and experience in the commercial management of major infrastructure delivery, including procurement models, contracting and risk management. Proven ability to influence at senior leadership level and build trusted relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders. The ability to translate strategy into practical priorities, plans and outcomes that improve commercial performance and delivery efficiency. An understanding of the complexity of public‑private partnerships and the specifics of the NewZealand PPP model.

Ko wai mātou | About us

NZTA Waka Kotahi delivers transport networks for people, places and NewZealand. Our Infrastructure Development and Delivery group brings together the full capital project lifecycle, from early solution development through to delivery. We work with the construction sector to strengthen capability, improve delivery performance and ensure transport investment creates lasting benefits for NewZealand. Our benefits include five weeks’ annual leave, income protection and critical illness insurance for permanent employees and flexible working arrangements, where appropriate for the role.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: 22 November 2026 For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in NewZealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values.

Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications.

We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.

Ko wai mātou | About us

At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.