Project Manager

Northpower; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

People-first culture

Market competitive pay

Life insurance

Discounted group medical cover

Discounted fuel rates

Ongoing learning and development

Family-friendly workplace

Job summary

Northpower is seeking a Project Manager to own a diverse portfolio of civil projects from estimation to close‑out in New Zealand. You will build strong customer and stakeholder relationships, manage budgets and ensure delivery within safety and quality standards.

The role emphasizes leadership of multi‑skilled teams, planning, and risk management to optimise project profitability while maintaining a strong safety culture across field and management teams.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing projects within civil, utilities, infrastructure or related environment.
• Experience managing multi-skilled teams, including performance management and coaching.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing project budgets and financial performance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end ownership of projects from estimation, planning and mobilisation through to delivery, financial reconciliation and close-out.
• Prepare accurate estimates and develop project execution plans, coordinate resources and work packs.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on time and within budget.
• Maintain relationships with customers and stakeholders and provide project and financial reporting.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Leadership

Education

National Certificate in Business (First Line Management) Level 4

Job description

We’re looking for a Project Manager to join our team and take ownership of delivering a diverse portfolio of civil projects. From customer‑initiated and capital works through to maintenance, direct‑source and contestable projects, you’ll play a key role in delivering safe, efficient and commercially successful outcomes for our customers and our business. This is a hands‑on role where your project management expertise, commercial acumen and ability to build strong relationships will make a genuine difference.

Role Responsibilities:

As Project Manager you will take end‑to‑end ownership of projects from estimation, planning and mobilisation through to delivery, financial reconciliation and close‑out. You will prepare accurate estimates, develop project execution plans, coordinate resources, materials and work packs, and ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on time and within budget. You will maintain strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders, provide accurate project and financial reporting, monitor WIP, budgets, invoicing and productivity, and proactively identify opportunities to improve project performance. Working closely with field teams and the wider Project Management team, you will ensure all projects are well planned and supported with the information required for successful delivery. Safety, quality and environmental leadership will be central to the role, with a strong focus on HSQE compliance, risk management and creating a culture where employees, customers, the public, network assets and the environment are protected, and everyone goes home safe.

Experience:

We’re looking for someone with:

• Proven experience managing projects within a civil, utilities, infrastructure or related environment.
• Experience managing multi‑skilled teams, including performance management and coaching.
• A strong understanding of design, estimating, pricing and project/job management fundamentals.
• Knowledge and experience in HV distribution and Zone Substations.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing project budgets and financial performance.
• Proven ability to monitor productivity, costs, forecasting and project profitability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship‑building capability.
• Confidence to make sound decisions and solve problems quickly.
• Strong computer literacy and the ability to work with project management and reporting systems.
• A demonstrated ability to develop people and improve team performance.
• A relevant qualification such as a National Certificate in Business (First Line Management) Level 4, or equivalent, would be advantageous.

What Northpower Offers You:

Make real impact across Aotearoa in a stable and future‑focused sector. At Northpower, you’ll do work that matters and powers our communities while growing your career in an organisation that genuinely cares for its people.

You’ll benefit from:

• A people‑first culture built on safety, inclusion, and deep care, where contributions are recognised and wellbeing is supported through EAP and our award‑winning peer support network (Kaitiaki)
• Fair and market competitive pay with the flexibility to tailor through additional leave and increased employer KiwiSaver contributions
• Life insurance and preventative health initiatives (including annual flu immunisations and Mole Maps)
• Discounted group medical cover and health and fitness programmes (including Fitness Passport)
• Discounted fuel rates plus a range of retail discounts (including Boost, PB Tech and Specsavers)
• Ongoing learning and development, with clear career pathways to help you grow, specialise, or progress
• A welcoming, family‑friendly workplace where people are encouraged to be themselves and feel valued

About Northpower:

Northpower is an organisation with deep regional roots and national reach. We own and operate the electricity and fibre networks across Whangārei and Kaipara, delivering essential infrastructure to more than 60,000 connected customers, while also operating one of New Zealand’s largest multi‑utility contracting businesses. From keeping the lights on today to building the infrastructure that will power tomorrow, our work spans electricity, fibre, renewables, transmission, and energy services. With more than 1,400 people across 16 locations, we act as one to support our communities, customers, clients, and critical national infrastructure across Aotearoa. What connects all this work is real impact you can see in your community. The work you do at Northpower matters, it is seen, felt, and relied on every day.

New Zealand work rights are required for the role. Pré‑employment checks will include a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.