Portfolio Advisor

University of Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 108,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave + 5 universityhol

Flexible working arrangements

Employer superannuation contribution

Staff discounts

Campus facilities access

Job summary

The University of Canterbury is seeking an experienced project delivery professional to broaden impact into portfolio-level advisory and assurance work. You will apply delivery experience, sound judgement and collaboration to improve quality, consistency and transparency of Digital Services delivery across the portfolio.

You will provide trusted advice on governance, lead assurance reviews and coach teams to meet delivery commitments, with opportunities to influence senior stakeholders and

Qualifications

• Five years of significant practical project delivery experience in complex project, programme or portfolio environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to distil complex information into executive reporting.
• Experience supporting governance, planning, assurance or decision-making processes.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel; experience with SharePoint and enterprise P3M tools is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted advice on delivery frameworks, governance and decision-making.
• Review key project documentation, identifying risks, gaps and dependencies.
• Lead targeted assurance reviews and recommend practical improvements.
• Ensure portfolio information is accurate, reliable and decision ready.
• Analyse financials to identify delivery risks, pressures and decision points.
• Lead quarterly planning, capacity and prioritisation activities across Digital Services.
• Coach teams on scope, sequencing, dependencies, risks and realistic delivery commitments.

Skills

Project delivery

Governance

Stakeholder management

Executive reporting

Analytical skills

Delivery coaching

Excel

Communication

Education

PRINCE2

MSP

PMP

Tools

SharePoint

Enterprise P3M tools

Excel (advanced)

Job description

Information Technology Full Time - Continuing

About University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury was established in 1873. Based in Christchurch, on the South Island of New Zealand, the University of Canterbury (UC) has an impressive international profile in research, learning and advanced scholarship in...

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities
• Salary $108,459-$130,000 p.a, based on skills and experience

Mōu | What You Will Do

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced project delivery professional ready to broaden their impact into portfolio-level advice, or a strong portfolio analyst looking to step into more influential advisory and assurance work. You will use your delivery experience, sound judgement and collaborative approach to improve the quality, consistency and transparency of Digital Services delivery. In this role you will:

• Provide trusted advice on delivery frameworks, governance and decision-making
• Review key project documentation, identifying risks, gaps and dependencies
• Lead targeted assurance reviews and recommend practical improvements
• Ensure portfolio information is accurate, reliable and decision ready
• Analyse financials to identify delivery risks, pressures and decision points
• Lead quarterly planning, capacity and prioritisation activities across Digital Services
• Coach teams on scope, sequencing, dependencies, risks and realistic delivery commitments

If you’re ready to move beyond individual projects and help shape how UC manages its digital portfolio, this role offers an opportunity to broaden your advisory skills and make a wider organisational impact.

Mōu | Who You Are

You have 5 years significant practical project delivery experience, in complex project, programme or portfolio environments, including governance, risks and issues, business cases, stage gates, change control, closure and reporting artefacts. You will also be able to demonstrate experience in:

• Demonstrated experience reviewing project documentation, risks, dependencies and delivery health
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess project health, delivery performance and readiness for key decisions.
• Proven experience providing advice and constructive challenge to senior stakeholders
• Experience supporting governance, planning, assurance or decision-making processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to distil complex information into concise, executive-level reporting and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify improvement opportunities and turn insight into action
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills; experience with SharePoint and enterprise P3M tools is highly desirable.
• Professional qualifications such as PRINCE2, MSP or PMP is desirable
• A collaborative, proactive approach, high standards of ethics and professionalism, and genuine commitment to UC values.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

You will work across Digital Services with Delivery Managers, Delivery Leads, digital leaders, business owners, project sponsors and governance groups. Building trusted relationships across the portfolio, providing insight, challenge and advice to support better delivery decisions.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

The closing date for this position is: 27 August 2025 (midnight, NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Location(s) Christchurch

Expertise Consulting & Strategy, Information Technology, Project Management