Principal Design Manager

JobSpace; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Well-being benefits

Global giving & volunteering

Job summary

Jacobs Auckland is seeking a seasoned Principal Design Manager to lead the delivery of major transportation projects across roads, rail and bus rapid transit. You will ensure clarity to complexity, confidence to clients and cohesion to multidisciplinary teams while guiding projects to successful outcomes.

You’ll mentor and coach teams, strengthen client relationships and represent Jacobs at industry events, champion safety and knowledge sharing, and contribute to a culture of collaboration and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in leading transport infrastructure engineering and design management.
• Proven track record in business development and client relationship management.
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills.
• Ability to thrive in a global, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of major transportation projects across roads, rail and bus rapid transit.
• Collaborate with commercial, project management and technical leaders to position Jacobs for success.
• Strengthen key client relationships and represent Jacobs at industry events.
• Mentor teams, promote knowledge sharing, collaboration and safety, and provide market visibility.

Skills

Transport leadership

Business development

Leadership & mentoring

Global collaboration

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Auckland is calling and Jacobs is growing. If you're a seasoned Principal Design Manager who thrives at the intersection of strategy, delivery, and client leadership, this is your chance to shape some of the most meaningful transport projects across New Zealand.

We're looking for someone who can bring clarity to complexity, confidence to clients, and cohesion to multidisciplinary teams. In this role, you'll lead the delivery of major transportation projects - spanning roads and highways, rail, and bus rapid transit.

You'll work closely with commercial, project management and technical leaders to position Jacobs for success, helping us win and deliver the next wave of transport infrastructure. Beyond delivery, you'll be a visible and trusted presence in the market: strengthening key client relationships, representing Jacobs at industry events, spotting emerging opportunities, and guiding our teams as a mentor and coach. You'll help foster a culture of knowledge sharing, collaboration and safety and you'll champion the benefits of global connectivity, ensuring our projects draw on the best thinking from across Jacobs worldwide.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading people as much as leading projects, who can navigate complexity with ease, and who sees client partnership as a long term craft rather than a transaction.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Extensive experience in leading transport infrastructure engineering and design management
• Proven track record in business development and client relationship management
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills
• Ability to thrive in a global, collaborative environment

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

Cultural Support:

Māori and Pasifika peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Māori and Pasifika people are invited to nominate a Whanau, family or cultural representative to participate on the interview panel; please let your recruiter know in your application.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.