Platform Lead - Data

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible working arrangements

Modern cloud, analytics and AI tech

Collaborative environment

Professional development

Five weeks annual leave

Income protection

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi seeks a Platform Lead - Data to steer strategy, architecture, delivery and operations of its enterprise data and analytics platforms. You will lead cross-functional squads, drive a modern data ecosystem including Databricks, Fabric, Power BI, and Azure services, and partner with Digital and delivery teams to unlock high-value data products and AI use cases.

In this leadership role, you will guide investment decisions, set platform direction and ensure governance,

Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise-scale data platforms in large or complex organisations.
• Proven ability to drive strategy, architecture, delivery and operations for data platforms.
• Strong background in data engineering, analytics, governance, security and resilience.

Responsibilities

• Set and deliver the roadmap for NZTA's enterprise data platform.
• Lead the evolution of a modern data and analytics ecosystem (Databricks, Fabric, Power BI, Azure).
• Provide technical leadership across data engineering, analytics enablement, self-service reporting and platform reliability.
• Strengthen governance, security, resilience and cost management for trusted data services.
• 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 and AI use cases.

Skills

Data platform strategy

Architecture leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Databricks

Cloud platforms

Education

Tertiary qualification in data engineering or analytics

Tools

Databricks

Microsoft Fabric

Power BI

Azure Data Services

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.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | 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.

Mō mātou | About us

Te Aukaha | 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.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

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

We Offer

• 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.

Rā Katinga | 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.

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.