Senior Programme Manager, Waste Solutions

Auckland Council; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working conditions

Job summary

Auckland Council's Waste Solutions department has an opportunity for a full-time permanent Senior Programme Manager, Waste Solutions to join the Programmes & Projects team. This role is based in the city centre with a minimum of three days in the office.You will lead a team of four, drive the Resource Recovery Network development, partner with community operators, mana whenua, boards and funding partners to deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits for Auckland communities.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead strategic waste minimisation programmes.
• Experience building partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong governance, budgeting and risk-management capabilities.
• Understanding of project delivery frameworks and procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic waste minimisation projects from planning to delivery.
• Oversee a portfolio of programmes and ensure governance and risk management.
• Develop robust business cases and secure stakeholder buy-in.
• Provide clear leadership to a team of four and align resources and budgets.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional teams

Stakeholder management

Financial management

Procurement

Programme delivery

Job description

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• Strengthen resource recovery and reduce waste to landfill
• Deliver sustainable outcomes for our communities

Auckland Council’s Waste Solutions department has an opportunity for a full-time permanent Senior Programme Manager, Waste Solutions to join the Programmes & Projects team. This role is based in the city centre with a minimum of three days in the office.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for advancing progress towards the region's waste minimisation and resource recovery goals. Leading a team of four, you will drive the implementation of the Resource Recovery Network development programme, with a strong focus on growing the network and impact of community recycling centres and resource recovery facilities across Auckland.

Reporting to the Programmes & Projects Manager, you will lead strategic waste minimisation projects from planning through to delivery. Working with community operators, mana whenua, local boards, council stakeholders, and external funding partners, you will foster strong relationships that support innovative solutions and deliver meaningful environmental, social, and economic benefits for Auckland communities.

You can expect to work on:

• Leading the implementation of Auckland's Resource Recovery Network Strategy, translating strategic priorities into a coordinated programme of work that supports the region's Zero Waste commitment.
• Driving the growth of Auckland's resource recovery infrastructure through the development of new community recycling centres, resource recovery facilities, and other network enhancements.
• Overseeing a complex portfolio of projects, ensuring effective governance, risk management, resource planning, and the successful delivery of agreed outcomes.
• Providing clear leadership to a team of four, fostering a high-performing culture and aligning people, resources, and budgets to deliver programme objectives.

You are a seasoned programme leader with a track record of delivering complex, high-value programmes from concept through to completion. Comfortable operating in strategic and operational environments, you can develop robust business cases, secure stakeholder buy-in and lead the successful delivery of significant investments that achieve lasting community outcomes.

This role is well-suited to an engaging and collaborative leader who can provide clarity, direction, and confidence to your team and stakeholders. You are highly skilled at building relationships across diverse groups, influencing decision-making, and navigating complex environments to achieve shared goals.

We will be looking specifically for:

• Strategic leadership, able to develop and motivate cross-functional high-performing teams
• A proactive communication style, highly skilled at building and maintaining collaborative internal and external relationships
• Strong financial, commercial, and programme management expertise; confidently oversee budgets, manage risk and ensure the programme delivers successful outcomes
• Experience working within infrastructure, resource recovery, waste management, engineering, or similarly complex delivery environments, with an understanding of project delivery frameworks and procurement processes.

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.8 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well-being, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.

Applications close: 23rd October 2026
Salary Range:$135k-150K

If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us when submitting your application so we can assist you.

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to the base salary offered.

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.