Practice Lead

New Zealand Transport Agency; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Transport Agency, Auckland, seeks an experienced Practice Lead – Project Management to guide a national team and embed best-practice standards across our portfolio of infrastructure programmes. You will lead capability development, governance, and sponsorship oversight for major projects, coach senior project managers, and drive delivery excellence across communities and networks nationwide.

Travel may be required, and a minimum of three days per week in the office will support

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading project management teams within complex infrastructure environments.
• Strong project sponsorship, governance and assurance capability.
• Demonstrated success building capability and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep knowledge of project delivery disciplines including risk, schedule, cost and change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the national project management practice across the portfolio.
• Coach and mentor project managers to build capability and consistency.
• Embed governance, assurance, and delivery outcomes across programmes.

Skills

Project leadership

Governance

Project sponsorship

Risk management

Schedule management

Cost management

Change management

Leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Job description

Permanent Full Time Auckland

Lead the profession. Lift delivery excellence. Deliver for New Zealand. We're delivering some of New Zealand's most significant transport infrastructure investments. To do that, we need exceptional leaders who can build capability, strengthen delivery confidence, and drive excellence across our project management profession. As Practice Lead – Project Management, you'll play a pivotal leadership role within Infrastructure Development & Delivery. You'll lead a national team of project management professionals, embed best-practice frameworks and standards, and provide sponsorship oversight for small projects/programmes delivering benefits for communities across New Zealand.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to combine people leadership, professional practice leadership, and project sponsorship. You'll be responsible for building capability, coaching and mentoring project managers, embedding consistent project management standards, and strengthening governance, assurance, and delivery outcomes across the portfolio. You'll also act as Project Sponsor for assigned projects, providing strategic oversight and decision-making within delegated authority. Travel may be required to connect with teams and stakeholders across the motu, and you'll work a minimum of three days each week from the office to support collaboration, coaching and team leadership.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

• Significant experience leading project management teams within complex infrastructure environments
• Strong project sponsorship, governance and assurance capability
• Demonstrated success building capability and developing high-performing teams
• Deep knowledge of project delivery disciplines including risk, schedule, cost and change management
• Experience working within complex stakeholder and commercial environments
• A collaborative leadership style, coupled with the ability to provide constructive challenge and influence at senior levels.

Why join us?

• Shape and lead project management practice across a nationally significant infrastructure portfolio
• Influence the successful delivery of transport investments that connect communities and drive economic growth
• Lead, coach and develop the next generation of project leaders

Rá Katinga | Applications close: 22 September 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.

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.