Programme Manager Strategic Projects

Auckland Council; Waiheke; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Employee benefits

Job summary

Auckland Council is seeking a Programme Manager – Strategic Projects to lead major capital works across Auckland’s parks, open spaces and community facilities. You will provide senior programme leadership, ensure on-time, on-budget delivery and align with strategic priorities.

This permanent full-time role requires 15+ years in capital works, a relevant degree, and strong stakeholder management. You’ll work with iwi, mana whenua and internal leaders to drive value and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 15+ years' experience in capital works delivery across large programmes.
• Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction or related field.
• Experience across programme/project and contract management including planning, design and construction.
• Strong ability to manage risk and deliver on time and within budget.
• Senior-level relationship management and collaboration across complex stakeholders.
• Valid NZ driver's licence.

Responsibilities

• Sponsor significant capital works programmes and projects with time, cost, quality, benefits and customer outcomes.
• Provide specialist programme management advice during development and assessment of work programmes.
• Collaborate with project managers to drive best-practice project, programme and contract management.
• Monitor programme performance, budgets, forecasts, risks and scope changes.
• Build relationships with internal leaders, consultants, iwi and other stakeholders.
• Provide clear advice to senior decision-makers and elected Members.
• Champion whole-life asset delivery and value-driven approaches.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and a consistent delivery approach.

Skills

Capital works delivery

Stakeholder management

Programme management

Budget oversight

Contract management

Education

Engineering degree

Architecture degree

Construction related degree

Tools

PRINCE2

PMP

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.

• Lead major projects that shape Auckland’s parks and open spaces
• Drive best-practice programme delivery, risk, budget and contracts
• Influence stakeholders to deliver better outcomes for Auckland
• Permanent Full-Time opportunity

This is an opportunity to bring your programme management expertise to projects that have a genuine impact on the places Aucklanders use and value every day.

As Programme Manager – Strategic Projects, you’ll play a pivotal role in the delivery of significant capital works across some of Auckland’s most important and unique environments – from Regional Parks through local Parks as well as community buildings across Auckland.

Working across a diverse portfolio, you’ll provide senior programme leadership, bring consistency and best practice to project delivery, and help turn strategic priorities into well-planned, well-managed and successful outcomes.

Day‑to‑day you could expect to:

• Sponsor significant capital works programmes and projects, ensuring delivery against agreed time, cost, quality, benefits and customer outcomes
• Provide specialist programme management advice during the development and assessment of work programmes
• Work alongside project managers to drive best‑practice project, programme and contract management
• Monitor programme performance, budgets, forecasts, risks and scope changes – stepping in early when something needs attention
• Build strong relationships with internal leaders, technical specialists, consultants, contractors, iwi, mana whenua and other stakeholders
• Provide robust, clear and politically astute advice to senior decision-makers and Elected Members
• Champion whole‑of‑life thinking, safety in design, innovation and better‑value approaches to asset delivery
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and help create a consistent delivery approach across the wider Parks and Community Facilities project workforce

Must‑haves – you'll bring:

• 15+ years' experience in capital works delivery, ideally across complex or large‑scale programmes
• A relevant degree or tertiary qualification in Engineering, Architecture, Construction or a related discipline
• Extensive experience across programme/project and contract management, including planning, investigation, design and construction
• Strong experience identifying and managing programme and project delivery risk
• A proven record of delivering significant outcomes on time and within budget
• Excellent senior‑level relationship management, influencing and collaboration skills, with the confidence to work across complex stakeholder environments
• Strong strategic and practical thinking, with the judgement to operate effectively in a high‑profile public and politically sensitive environment
• A clean, full New Zealand driver's licence

You’ll stand out if you also have:

• Experience delivering parks, open‑space, community or other public‑facing assets
• Experience working within local government or a similarly complex public‑sector environment
• A formal qualification in programme or project management, such as PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent
• Experience working with iwi and mana whenua and an understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga Māori
• A strong understanding of whole‑of‑life asset decision‑making, particularly across buildings and open‑space assets
• Experience leading performance, capability and continuous improvement across project teams.

Why this role?

You’ll be working on projects where the outcome is much bigger than a construction programme or project plan.

The work you lead will contribute to the parks, open spaces, facilities and places that Aucklanders rely on and enjoy, while giving you the opportunity to influence how major capital works are delivered across one of New Zealand’s largest and most complex organisations.

You’ll join a specialist team that values practical expertise, collaboration, innovation and better‑value delivery – with the scale and complexity to keep an experienced programme professional challenged.

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world‑class city.

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible.

You’ll have access to a range of fantastic Auckland Council benefits, EAP services, an Oranga Day and discounted Leisure Centre membership and a range of other partnership discounts! View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits here:

We are a diverse organisation – we value diversity in our thinking, and we can only achieve that with a diverse team!

Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini – My success is not mine alone, but the success of many.

You can find the position description here

Applications close: Sunday 30th August

Please note:

• Qualification Checks will be conducted along with other relevant pre‑employment checks required for employment with Auckland Council.
• This role is deemed safety sensitive and, in line with Auckland Council policy, you will be required to complete pre‑employment drug & alcohol testing.

Auckland Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. We collect personal information directly from you and, where relevant for the purpose of assessing you for employment, and employing you as part of the transport reform process, from third parties such as referees, previous employers (including Auckland Transport) recruitment agencies, and background checking providers.

By applying for this role, you consent to Council obtaining a reference from your current employer, including information about any active conduct investigations and current performance management processes, if you are the preferred candidate. Reference checks will only be undertaken at the preferred candidate stage. Any non‑active performance or conduct matters may also be discussed with referees as part of the reference checking process.

If you do not consent to this information being provided, Council may be unable to properly assess your application and your application will not progress further. If you wish to withhold your consent, or to access or correct your personal information, please contact the Privacy Officer at *******@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.