Planning and Development Improvement Lead

New Zealand Transport Agency; Auckland; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Transport Agency is seeking a Planning & Development Improvement Lead to shape how major transport projects are planned, developed and delivered. You will drive front-end project lifecycle improvements, leverage international best practice, and lead cross‑functional initiatives across NZTA and the wider sector.

You’ll collaborate with senior leaders, project teams, suppliers, and industry partners to raise capability, embed data and digital tools, and achieve consistent, high-quality

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering large, complex transport infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading business improvement, transformation, or change initiatives.
• Strong programme or project leadership capabilities.
• Ability to influence and bring people together across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Understanding of emerging industry trends, international best practice, and digital innovation.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex ideas into practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement across the front end of the project lifecycle.
• Lead strategic improvement initiatives to enhance consistency, quality and effectiveness of development.
• Champion the use of data, digital tools, and change management practices to embed lasting improvements.
• Collaborate with senior leaders, project teams, suppliers and industry partners to shape national approaches to infrastructure planning and development.

Skills

Large-scale delivery

Change management

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Industry trends & digital

Communication

Job description

Planning and Development Improvement Lead

New Zealand Transport Agency – Auckland, North Island

Full time

20h ago , from New Zealand Transport Agency

Preferred location: Auckland or Wellington. Other locations may be considered

Shape the future of transport project delivery in New Zealand

This is a unique opportunity to influence how some of New Zealand's largest and most complex transport infrastructure projects are planned, developed, and delivered.

As the Planning & Development Improvement Lead, you will drive continuous improvement across the front end of the project lifecycle, helping ensure projects are better defined, de-risked, and positioned for successful delivery.You'llbring fresh thinking, international best practice, and innovative approaches that lift capability across NZTA and the wider transport sector.

Working closely with senior leaders, project teams,suppliersand industry partners,you'lllead strategic improvement initiatives that enhance the consistency,qualityand effectiveness of transport project development.You'llalso playan important rolein championing the use of data, digital tools, and change management practices to embed lasting improvements across the business.

To find out more about this role, please view the position description

Whatyou'llbring

We'relooking for someone who combines deep project developmentexpertisewith a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

You'llideally bring:

• Significant experiencedelivering large and complex transport infrastructure projects, particularly during planning and development phases
• Experience leading business improvement, transformation, or change initiatives in complex environments
• Strong programme or project leadership capabilities
• The ability to influence and bring people together across diverse stakeholder groups
• An understanding of emerging industry trends, international bestpracticeand digital innovation
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex ideas into practical solutions.

You'llhave the opportunity to help shape national approaches to infrastructure planning and development, influence industry practice, and contribute to the successful delivery of projects that willbenefitcommunities across New Zealand for generations to come.

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

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.