Programme Manager

Environmental Protection Authority; Wellington; On-site; NZD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 extra leave days between Christmas &

Non-taxable home setup payment

EPA Environment Day

Māori cultural capability program

EPASymposium learning opportunities

Social club

EPA awards

Job summary

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Wellington seeks an experienced Programme Manager to lead two critical workstreams: AI initiatives and the Hazardous Substances Improvement Programme. You will establish governance, delivery plans, manage risks and dependencies, and drive successful outcomes.

You will coach other project managers and collaborate with senior leaders and subject matter experts to deliver practical, sustainable changes aligned with EPA priorities, ensuring on-time,

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading large-scale programmes in complex settings.
• Experience in design, build, and delivery of technology solutions.
• Strong project and programme management capability, including planning, governance, risk, reporting, and benefits realisation.
• Experience leading organisational change initiatives and adoption of new processes or systems.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills with senior leaders.
• Proven ability to identify risks and make decisions in a dynamic environment.
• Experience across multiple workstreams with competing priorities.
• Knowledge of programme management methodologies with relevant certifications viewed favourably.

Responsibilities

• Establish and manage programme governance and delivery plans.
• Manage risks, dependencies and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery with quality.
• Provide project and change management leadership and coaching to other project managers.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and subject matter experts across EPA to deliver practical, sustainable change.
• Support governance and decision-making throughout the programme lifecycle.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Organisational change

Governance

Decision making

Multi-workstream coordination

Education

PRINCE2 certification

PMI/Change management qualifications

Tools

None identified

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.

As New Zealand's environmental regulator, the work we do today helps shape the future of our tomorrow.

We are the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA),AotearoaNew Zealand’s independent environmental regulator. Our role is important:to help protect our country’s unique way of life by looking out for the health of its environment, itseconomy,and its people.

What we achieve today helps shape the future of New Zealand for generations to come.

Jump in the waka - make history with us.

The Corporate Services Group works in close partnership with the wider business to lead, support, and enable the EPA to achieve its strategic intentions and effectively and efficiently deliver its core functions. There are five key functions within the Corporate Services Group.

These are:

Information Management and Technology, People and Capability, Communications and Customer, Finance and Business Services,and Enterprise Projects.

Enterprise Projectsprovides programme and project leadership governance and assurance, ensuring investment and resources are focused on the initiatives that will have the greatest impact. By partnering with business groups across the EPA, Enterprise Projects helps turn strategic goals into successful outcomes that strengthen the organisation's ability to deliver its core functions.

About the role |Mōtetūnga

This is a fixed term role for12 months

This role is based in our Wellington office. Whilewe'rehappy to consider work-from-home arrangements, full-time remote workingwould only be considered for the right candidate.

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead two critical pieces of work for the EPA: the implementation of our AIinitiativesand delivery of the Hazardous Substances Improvement Programme.

You willbe responsible forestablishingand managing programme governance, developing delivery plans, managing risks and dependencies, and ensuring successful implementation of programme outcomes.You will also be providing project and change management leadership and coaching to other project managers.You will work closely with senior leaders, subject matter experts, and key stakeholders across the organisation to deliver change that is practical, sustainable, and aligned with organisational priorities.

Success in this role will require a strong focus on programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, organisational change, and embedding new ways of working. You will ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards while supporting effective decision-making and governance throughout the programme lifecycle.

About you |Mōhouake

We are looking forsomeonewitha rangeofskills and experience– if you have some orallthe below, we would love to hear from you.

• Extensive experience leading large-scale programmes and delivering outcomes in complex organisational settings.
• Demonstrated experience in design, build,and delivery of technology solutions.
• Strong project and programme management capability, including planning, governance, risk management, reporting, and benefits realisation.
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational change initiatives and supporting successful transition and adoption of new processes, systems, or ways of working.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility with senior leaders and subject matter experts.
• Proven ability toidentifyrisks, solve complex problems, and make sound decisions in a dynamic environment.
• Experience working across multiple workstreams and managing competing priorities whilemaintainingdelivery momentum.
• Knowledge of programme management methodologies and frameworks, with relevant certifications such as PRINCE2, PMI, or change management qualifications viewed favourably.

There are extra benefitsto working at theEPA:

• threeadditionalpaidleave days between Christmas and New Yearin addition to four weeks’annual leave
• $200non-taxablepayment to help you set up working at home
• anannualpaidEPA Environment Dayto supportthe communitywithenvironmental initiatives
• in-house Māoricultural capability building programme
• learning opportunities,including the annualEPASymposium
• activeand livelysocial club,and diverse groups and support networks
• EPAawards recognising individualand team effort.

$147,688-$221,532per annum (midpoint$184,610).

This is the full salary range of the band, from 80% - 120%. Appointments willgenerally bemade at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience.

Friday 5pm, 18 September 2026

We will review applications as they aresubmittedand may begin our selection process prior to the end of the application stage