Practice Lead - Project Management

CGR Services; Auckland; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NZTA | Waka Kotahi is seeking a Practice Lead – Project Management to guide a national team of PM professionals and embed best-practice frameworks across infrastructure delivery.

You will sponsor projects, strengthen governance and assurance, coach leaders, and drive delivery excellence across New Zealand's transport portfolio.

Travel may be required; you will spend a minimum of three days per week in the office to enable collaboration and hands-on leadership.

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.
• Experience working within complex stakeholder and commercial environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a national team of project management professionals and embed best-practice frameworks.
• Provide sponsorship oversight for small projects/programmes delivering benefits across NZ.
• Embed governance, assurance, and delivery outcomes across the portfolio.
• Act as Project Sponsor for assigned projects, providing strategic oversight.
• Travel as required and commit to three days per week in the office for collaboration and leadership.

Skills

Project leadership

Governance & assurance

Team development

Risk management

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.

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.

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

Applications close

Tuesday 22 September 2026

Eligibility & Diversity

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.

Contact

email: [e-mail]