Platform Lead - Data

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

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Income Protection and Critical Illness

Job summary

NZTA | Waka Kotahi is seeking a Platform Lead - Data to direct strategy, architecture and operations of our enterprise data platforms. You will drive a modern data and analytics ecosystem, enabling trusted data, analytics and AI to support better decisions and outcomes for New Zealand’s transport system.

You will lead cross-functional squads, set platform direction and govern security, governance, and cost.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading enterprise data platform strategy, architecture, delivery and operations.
• Expertise with modern data platforms, with Databricks essential, and exposure to Microsoft Fabric, Power BI and Azure Data Services.
• Track record of leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex technology outcomes.
• Understanding of data engineering, data quality, governance, security, privacy and operational resilience.
• Experience shaping platform roadmaps, investment priorities, vendor relationships and technology risk decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and ability to advise senior leaders.
• A tertiary qualification or certifications in data engineering, analytics, cloud platforms or AI.

Responsibilities

• Set and deliver the roadmap for NZTA's enterprise data platform, ensuring it is scalable, secure, resilient and aligned to organisational priorities.
• Lead the evolution of a modern data and analytics ecosystem, including Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI and Azure services.
• Provide technical leadership across data engineering, analytics enablement, self-service reporting, platform reliability and operational excellence.
• Strengthen platform governance, security, resilience, performance and cost management so teams can deliver trusted data services with confidence.
• Lead cross-functional platform squads and promote Agile, DevOps and automation-first ways of working.
• Partner with Digital, business and delivery teams to unlock high-value data products, analytics and AI use cases across NZTA.

Skills

Data platform leadership

Databricks

Azure Data Services

Power BI

Stakeholder engagement

Agile / DevOps

Data governance

Cloud platforms

Team leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in data/analytics

Tools

Databricks

Microsoft Fabric

Power BI

Azure

Job description

Lead the enterprise data platforms that enable trusted analytics, reporting and AI across NZTA. Shape the next stage of NZTA's modern data platform capability. Enable high-value data products that support better decisions and outcomes for New Zealand.

The opportunity

As Platform Lead - Data, you will lead the strategy, architecture, delivery and operational performance of NZTA's enterprise data and analytics platforms. This is a critical leadership role at the centre of how NZTA uses trusted data, analytics and AI to make better decisions, improve services and support New Zealand's transport system. Working within the Chief Technology Office, you'll set platform direction, guide investment choices and lead the evolution of modern data capabilities that are used across the organisation.

In this role, you will:Set and deliver the roadmap for NZTA's enterprise data platform, ensuring it is scalable, secure, resilient and aligned to organisational priorities. Lead the evolution of a modern data and analytics ecosystem, including Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI and Azure services. Provide technical leadership across data engineering, analytics enablement, self-service reporting, platform reliability and operational excellence. Strengthen platform governance, security, resilience, performance and cost management so teams can deliver trusted data services with confidence. Lead cross-functional platform squads and promote Agile, DevOps and automation-first ways of working. Partner with Digital, business and delivery teams to unlock high-value data products, analytics and AI use cases across NZTA.

You can find out more about the role in the position description Ko koe tēnei

About you

To be successful in this role, you'll bring the confidence and experience to lead enterprise-scale data platforms in a complex environment. You will be comfortable setting direction, making technology choices, leading skilled teams and working with senior stakeholders to turn platform capability into real organisational value.

You will bring

• Significant experience leading enterprise data platform strategy, architecture, delivery and operations in a large or complex organisation.
• Strong technical expertise across modern data platforms, with Databricks experience essential, and exposure to Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Azure Data Services and lakehouse architectures highly valued.
• A track record of leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex technology outcomes through clear direction, strong prioritisation and collaborative delivery.
• A practical understanding of data engineering, data quality, governance, security, privacy and operational resilience.
• Experience shaping platform roadmaps, investment priorities, vendor relationships and technology risk decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, including the ability to provide clear strategic technical advice to senior leaders.
• A tertiary qualification, relevant professional certifications or equivalent practical experience in data engineering, analytics, cloud platforms or AI.

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in the public sector.

About us

Digital exists to improve service offerings, support decision-making and make it easier for people to interact with NZTA. We provide modern, fit-for-purpose digital, information and technology solutions that enable our people, partners and customers to deliver better outcomes. Within Digital, the Chief Technology Office (CTO) is a strategic business enabler responsible for delivering the digital capabilities, platforms and leadership needed to support NZTA's operational performance, regulatory responsibilities and future transport vision. The CTO ensures digital investments and services deliver measurable value while supporting efficient service delivery, improved customer experiences and long-term organisational success.

What you will get in return

At NZTA, you'll have the opportunity to lead platforms that support services that are used by millions of New Zealanders and help shape how trusted data, analytics and AI are used to improve transport outcomes.

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities to work with modern cloud, analytics and AI technologies.
• A collaborative, inclusive and purpose-driven environment.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.
• Five weeks annual leave.
• Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance.

If you're motivated by the opportunity to lead modern data platforms at scale, influence enterprise technology direction and help unlock better outcomes through trusted data and AI, we'd like to hear from you.

Applications close: 26 August 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

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

NZTA| 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.