Programme Manager - Transport

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 119,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Wellbeing days

Annual leave flexibility

Eye care support

Staff discounts

Job summary

Hamilton City Council is seeking a Programme Manager – Transport to lead funded and emerging transport infrastructure programmes. You will shape setup, sequencing, delivery and benefits realization, working with NZTA/Waka Kotahi and multiple partners to ensure outcomes for the community.

You will lead cross-functional teams, drive governance, manage risks, and maintain robust reporting while aligning to long-term transport goals and funding cycles.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years’ experience in transport infrastructure programme or project management.
• Strong understanding of local government delivery environments.
• Experience across NZTA/Waka Kotahi funding settings.
• Ability to lead complex transport programmes and manage stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a programme resource plan (internal and external).
• Develop and mentor Project Managers and teams across planning and forecasting.
• Lead and develop project teams with clear expectations and performance measures.
• Drive planning discipline and continuous improvement for forecasts and benefits.
• Provide governance visibility of trends and decision points at programme level.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Analytical skills

Financial analysis

Problem solving

Independent working

Education

Tertiary qualification in Project Management or Civil Engineering

PRINCE2 or PMP certification or equivalent

Job description

At Hamilton City Council, our people are united by a shared purpose: helping make Hamilton the best place to live, work, and play. As one of New Zealand's largest city councils, we're proud to serve a growing and vibrant community while delivering services and projects that improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians every day.

You’ll join a team that values collaboration, innovation, and community impact. Together, we’re on track to being one of New Zealand’s leading community-focused councils, where everyone matters and every contribution helps shape the future of our city.

If you’re looking for meaningful work, a supportive team, and the opportunity to make a real difference in your community, you’ll find it here.

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of Portfolio Delivery, this is a key leadership role where you will guide the successful delivery of funded and emerging transport infrastructure programmes. You’ll play an important part in shaping how programmes are set up, sequenced, delivered and closed, ensuring benefits are clearly defined, risks are well managed, and outcomes are achieved for the community.
As Programme Manager – Transport, you will work closely with business owners, project teams, internal specialists and external partners to provide clear programme direction and oversight. You’ll bring strong transport sector knowledge, sound judgement and the ability to influence across a complex stakeholder environment, including central government partners such as NZTA/Waka Kotahi.
This role would suit someone who is confident leading complex transport programmes, understands funding pathways and business case processes, and can bring people together around a shared vision. You’ll be trusted to look ahead, identify opportunities and risks, and help ensure the programme is delivered in a way that is practical, commercially aware and aligned to long-term transport outcomes.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain a programme resource plan (internal and external) that supports efficient and effective programme delivery
• Develop and mentor Project Managers, building capability, consistency and accountability across project planning, risk management and forecasting.
• Lead and develop project teams with clear expectations, accountability and performance measures
• Drive a culture of planning discipline and continuous improvement to ensure programme forecasts, risks, dependencies and benefits are understood and accurately reported.
• Establish and maintain programme controls, reporting standards and assurance processes that improve the quality and reliable programme data to support informed decision making.
• Lead the delivery of a capital programme, providing overall direction, integration and oversight across multiple projects delivered by project managers
• Monitor programme performance across cost, schedule, risk and quality, with project managers responsible for project-level controls and planning team members providing analytics, estimating and reporting support
• Provide high-level oversight of commercial and contract management activities, including compensation events, payment claims, supplier performance, and commercial risk supported by the commercial and contracts team
• Lead programme-level change control and escalation, maintaining governance visibility of emerging trends and required decision points

Qualifications

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

• At least 7 years’ experience in transport infrastructure programme or project management, with a strong understanding of local government delivery environments.
• Established relationships with NZTA/Waka Kotahi and the ability to work confidently across central and local government transport funding and delivery settings.
• Solid, in-depth understanding of NZTA funding mechanisms, including the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), business case requirements, and pre-implementation and implementation funding cycles.
• A curious mind with a continuous improvement drive and comfort with ambiguity.
• Proven leadership skills with demonstrated ability to business partner and take people on a change journey.
• Demonstrated success in leading significant projects and programmes of work in the transport space.
• Ability to innovate and maintain a big-picture focus within an operational context.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders (internal and external).
• Political acumen – the ability to engage with and influence Elected Members.
• Advanced written communication and presentations.
• Skilled in consulting with other cultural and community groups that have vested interests.
• Ability to operate independently, anticipate requirements and monitor workload.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Financial analysis skills.
• Tertiary qualification in Project Management and /or Civil Engineering fields
• Project management accreditation (for example, PRINCE2 or PMP) or equivalent (preferred, but not essential).
• Understanding of obligations of local and central government under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Additional Information

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary?

Circa$140k dependent on skills and experience.

We invest in our people, their wellbeing, and their future. That’s why we offer a range of benefits designed to support you both inside and outside of work, including:

• We support flexible ways of working that balance individual wellbeing, team and business needs. And great outcomes for our community.
• We support professional development and opportunities to grow your career.
• Two wellbeing days each year to focus on what matters most to you (after one year of service).
• Fully funded Unimed health insurance, including hospital and surgical cover, with discounted rates for family members.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccinations.
• The option to purchase additional annual leave for greater flexibility.
• Eye care support, including reimbursement towards eye testing and prescription glasses.
• Access to a wide range of local discounts, including gyms, cafes, healthcare providers, retail stores, and more.

Applications close on the:18 October 2026

Note: We will be shortlistingas we receive applications.

Council is committed to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi through its relationship with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua and maataa waka within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking here

It is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met.

As a council, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and belongs. We value inclusiveness (Kotahitanga) – we respect and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that everyone brings.

This role is being sourced directly. If/where Hamilton City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our panel of selected agencies. Hamilton City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to unsolicited contact.