Programme Manager

Smiths Detection; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Detection is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Project / Programme Manager to lead complex customer-facing projects across ANZ and the Pacific Islands. Based in Auckland with a hybrid working arrangement, this role is autonomous and places you as the primary PM lead for the region from inception to completion.

You will manage multiple concurrent projects, balancing commercial and operational priorities, and navigate complex stakeholder relationships with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project or programme management experience.
• Proven experience managing multiple concurrent projects in technology, engineering, infrastructure, construction, or related industries.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing contracts, customer commitments, and project financials.
• Hands-on field delivery experience and the ability to manage projects beyond the desk.
• Demonstrated success delivering projects throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience engaging customers and senior leadership teams.
• Experience operating within matrix organisations and influencing cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of multiple projects and programmes across ANZ and the Pacific Islands.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, risks, resources, and customer expectations.
• Serve as the primary customer-facing representative throughout project execution.
• Drive project planning, forecasting, reporting, and governance activities.
• Partner closely with Sales, Engineering, Service, Supply Chain, Finance, and Global Programmes teams.
• Manage contract execution and ensure projects are delivered in line with commercial commitments.
• Support customer tenders, project kick-offs, handovers, change management, and contract close-out activities.
• Monitor project performance through established controls, reporting mechanisms, and risk management processes.
• Ensure successful handover of completed projects to Service and Operations teams.
• Travel throughout the region as required to support customer sites and project delivery.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget & finance

Contract management

Field delivery

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Tools

MS Project

MS Visio

SAP

AutoCAD

Primavera

Power BI

Job description

Smiths Detection is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Project / Programme Manager to lead complex customer-facing projects across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Based in Auckland with a hybrid working arrangement, this is a unique and highly autonomous role where you will act as the primary project management lead for the region, driving the successful delivery of airport security and detection technology projects from inception through to completion. You'll oversee multiple concurrent projects while serving as the key interface between customers, internal stakeholders, and delivery teams.

If you're a self-starter who thrives in a hands-on environment, enjoys balancing commercial and operational priorities, and can confidently navigate complex stakeholder relationships, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

As the regional Project / Programme Manager, you will:

• Lead end-to-end delivery of multiple projects and programmes across ANZ and the Pacific Islands
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, risks, resources, and customer expectations
• Serve as the primary customer-facing representative throughout project execution
• Drive project planning, forecasting, reporting, and governance activities
• Partner closely with Sales, Engineering, Service, Supply Chain, Finance, and Global Programmes teams
• Manage contract execution and ensure projects are delivered in line with commercial commitments
• Support customer tenders, project kick-offs, handovers, change management, and contract close-out activities
• Monitor project performance through established controls, reporting mechanisms, and risk management processes
• Ensure successful handover of completed projects to Service and Operations teams
• Travel throughout the region as required to support customer sites and project delivery

What Makes This Role Unique

This is not a traditional project management position.

You will be the dedicated project management lead covering a diverse geographical region that includes major international airports and critical infrastructure customers across ANZ and the Pacific Islands.

Success in this role requires someone who can operate independently, make decisions confidently, build strong customer relationships, and effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously with limited day-to-day supervision.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of project or programme management experience
• Proven experience managing multiple concurrent projects in technology, engineering, infrastructure, construction, or related industries
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing contracts, customer commitments, and project financials
• Hands-on field delivery experience and the ability to manage projects beyond the desk
• Demonstrated success delivering projects throughout the full project lifecycle
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience engaging customers and senior leadership teams
• Experience operating within matrix organisations and influencing cross-functional teams

Preferred Experience

• Airport, aviation, security technology, infrastructure, defence, or complex systems integration experience
• Experience with project management methodologies such as PMP, PRINCE2, Waterfall, Agile, or Hybrid approaches
• Knowledge of project controls, scheduling, forecasting, risk management, and change management
• Familiarity with tools such as MS Project, MS Visio, SAP, AutoCAD, Primavera, Power BI, or similar

Personal Attributes

We're looking for someone who is:

• Highly self-motivated and proactive
• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership
• Commercially minded with strong business judgement
• Customer-focused and relationship driven
• Organised, resilient, and able to manage competing priorities
• A natural communicator who can engage effectively at all levels
• Willing to travel across the region to ensure successful project delivery