Property Partner

New Zealand School Property Agency; Palmerston North, Whanganui; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand School Property Agency is seeking a Property Partner to lead senior relationships with schools, coordinating complex property responses and major capital investments. You will work closely with school leaders to understand priorities and deliver coordinated, practical property solutions.

This role focuses on trusted partnerships, proactive engagement, and a holistic view of maintenance, renewal, and capital works to achieve safe, functional learning environments.

Qualifications

• Excellent relationship-building with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to influence outcomes through collaboration.
• Experience in property, infrastructure, or project delivery environments.
• Strong commercial, strategic thinking and risk management skills.
• Commitment to understanding school needs and delivering practical solutions.
• Ability to work with diverse communities with culturally responsive practices.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the relationship and coordinated property response for assigned schools.
• Build trusted partnerships with school leaders and understand their priorities and long-term property needs.
• Maintain an integrated view across maintenance, renewal, upgrade, and capital works programmes, coordinating stakeholders and activities.
• Bring together planning, investment, procurement, delivery and technical expertise for a clear, coordinated response.
• Provide clear and timely information on projects, risks, funding and investment opportunities.
• Maintain visibility of programme progress, risks and issues, connecting stakeholders for timely resolution.
• Champion continuous improvement and identify opportunities to enhance outcomes for schools.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Property/asset management

Strategic thinking

Risk management

Customer focus

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

We build, maintain, and manage New Zealand's school property infrastructure so children and young people can learn and thrive. Partner with schools to deliver safe, functional, and future-ready learning environments Build trusted relationships that support better property decisions and stronger outcomes Bring together property planning, investment and delivery expertise to make a lasting difference for schools and communities

About the role

The Property Partner provides senior relationship leadership, coordination and problem-solving principally for schools with complex property and relationship needs. As the trusted first point of contact for assigned schools, you'll work closely with school leaders to understand their needs, aspirations, and challenges, helping them navigate everything from day-to-day property matters through to major capital investments.

This role is about more than managing projects. It's about fostering trust, providing confidence, and bringing together the right people and expertise to help schools achieve their property goals. Through effective partnerships and proactive engagement, you'll play an important role in delivering learning environments that support students, staff, and communities now and into the future.

• Take overall responsibility for the relationship and coordinated property response for assigned schools.
• Build trusted partnerships with school leaders and develop a deep understanding of their priorities, challenges, and long-term property needs.
• Maintain an integrated view across maintenance, renewal, upgrade, and capital works programmes, coordinating stakeholders and activities to support planning, prioritisation, and successful outcomes.
• Bring together planning, investment, procurement, delivery and technical expertise so schools receive a clear and coordinated response.
• Provide clear and timely information on projects, risks, funding, and investment opportunities.
• Maintain visibility of programme progress, risks, and issues, connecting the appropriate stakeholders to support timely resolution.
• Champion continuous improvement and identify opportunities to enhance the experience and outcomes for schools

What you'll bring

• Exceptional relationship‑building skills and a proven ability to establish trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience influencing outcomes and navigating complex environments through collaboration and partnership.
• Experience in property, infrastructure, construction, asset management, or project delivery environments.
• Strong commercial, strategic, and problem‑solving capability, with the ability to balance priorities and manage risk.
• A commitment to understanding the needs of schools and delivering practical, customer‑focused solutions.
• The ability to work effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders, underpinned by culturally responsive practices.

Why join us?

Every school deserves learning environments that are safe, functional, and fit for the future. As a Property Partner, you'll be at the heart of helping schools achieve this. Through the relationships you build and the support you provide, you'll help shape significant property investments and improvements that make a lasting difference for students, staff, and communities across New Zealand

This is an opportunity to combine relationship management, strategic thinking, and property expertise in a role where you can see the tangible impact of your work and help schools achieve better outcomes for generations to come

If you're passionate about building trusted partnerships, delivering property solutions, and helping schools helping schools navigate complex property needs and achieve sustainable long‑term outcomes we'd love to hear from you

Applications close 10 November; however, we may begin reviewing applications as they are received and reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier

You can view the Position Description here

For inquiries regarding this vacancy, please email [e-mail]

Build trusted partnerships, deliver property solutions and help schools navigate complex property needs