Principal Advisor - Transport

Waikato Regional Council; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Waikato Regional Council is seeking a Principal Advisor-Transport to lead strategic transport initiatives within the Regional Transport Connections directorate. This senior role involves providing high‑level advice to the Director and executive team, driving business transformation, and delivering complex programmes that align with Council priorities.

The role focuses on governance engagement, risk management, and performance reporting to support a high‑performing team culture in the Waikato

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in transport, policy, business management and related field.
• Demonstrated experience in business planning, performance measurement and project management.
• Previous experience in local government.
• Senior role in multidisciplinary organisation with demonstrable achievements.

Responsibilities

• Actively supporting the Director in operating effectively at a senior governance and political level.
• Leading strategic internal engagement to ensure the directorate responds to operational and organisational needs.
• Planning, developing and delivering specialised work programmes and projects.
• Providing strategic advice to the Director and senior leadership on transport issues.
• Supporting planning processes, budgets, forecasting, performance measurement and reporting.
• Undertaking data analysis, modelling and presentation of outcomes.
• Leading or contributing to cross-directorate projects and managing external contractors.
• Ensuring risks are identified and projects delivered on time and within budget.

Skills

Self-starter

Strategic advisory

Collaborative networks

Project leadership

NZ transport environment knowledge

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications in transport/policy/business

Job description

At Waikato Regional Council, the work we do today shapes how our region connects tomorrow. We are seeking an experienced Principal Advisor-Transport to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the future of regional transport. This is a unique opportunity to provide strategic thought leadership and trusted expert advice that will influence direction, enable business transformation, and make a lasting impact across our Regional Transport Connections directorate.

This senior advisory role works closely with the Director, Regional Transport Connections, providing trusted, high‑level strategic advice, supporting team peers and delivering complex projects that support Council priorities and the future of transport in the Waikato region.

In this influential position, you will play a critical role in driving operational performance, supporting effective risk management, and applying strong problem‑solving skills. You will also champion continuous improvement and help foster a high‑performing team culture grounded in our organisational values.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

• Actively supporting the Director in operating effectively at a senior governance and political level
• Leading strategic internal engagement to ensure the directorate responds effectively to operational and organisational needs
• Planning, developing and delivering specialised work programmes, assigned deliverables and projects that support the directorate’s strategic focus
• Providing strategic advice and support to the Director and senior leadership team on transport and public transport issues as well as business transformation and organisational change initiatives
• Supporting planning processes, budgets, forecasting, performance measurement and reporting
• Undertaking data analysis, modelling and presentation of outcomes
• Support team peers in delivering the transport and public transport programme
• Leading or contributing to cross directorate projects, and managing external contractors and consultants where required
• Ensuring risks are identified and managed, and projects are delivered on time and within budget

Mō te tangata | About you

You will be a confident, proactive professional who thrives in complex and fast changing environments. We are looking for:

• A strong self-starter who can understand complex issues at a systems-level and identify integrated opportunities across both land-use and transport
• Someone with the ability to form and provide strategic advice to decision makers
• A natural collaborator with strong professional networks
• Experience of leading and participating in significant projects and programmes.
• An understanding of the New Zealand transport legislative, policy and funding environment

Mō ngā pūkenga | Qualifications and experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in transport, policy, business management and/or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in business planning, performance measurement and project management.
• Previous experience in local government.
• Success at a senior role in a multidisciplinary organisation with demonstrable achievements.

Mō te tīma | About the team

Our leadership team is focused on creating teams with sufficient resources, capability and experience to deliver a wide range of technical, operational, customer-facing and people-focused work every day.

• We are firmly focused on building and maintaining a strong culture.
• We manage strategic and funding relationships with key stakeholders such as NZ Transport Agency.

Mō mātou | About us

• We work hard to care for the mighty Waikato, so current and future generations will benefit from a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities.
• Our mahi is as diverse as the region we care for and the people who share it. Our work helps look after our region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.
• Customers sit at the heart of everything we do, and all staff have an important role to play in the delivery of exceptional customer service.
• By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better.
• Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.