Senior Project Manager

Tiaki Wai; Lower Hutt; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working (up to 2 days WFH)

Wellbeing programme

Professional development

Job summary

Tiaki Wai in Wellington region is progressing a smart metering programme and seeks an experienced project leader for a 12‑month fixed‑term role to plan and deliver the water metering pilot from its Petone office, with hybrid working options.

The role reports to the Programme Director, Water Metering, and focuses on coordinating internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure the pilot is well planned, with risks and dependencies managed and outcomes informing the wider programme.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing complex projects from planning through to delivery.
• Ability to navigate policy, access and engineering challenges.
• Strong knowledge of project methodologies to support delivery.
• Experience in contract management and supplier performance monitoring.
• Strong planning, risk, budget and reporting skills.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing dependencies.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement with councils, communities and iwi.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the water metering pilot from start to delivery.
• Coordinate internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure readiness.
• Identify and manage risks, dependencies, and budgets for the pilot.
• Report on progress and ensure outcomes inform wider programme phases.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and support customer service goals.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Budget management

Contract management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Policy & compliance

Job description

• Petone office, with hybrid working options.
• 12-month fixed-term role focused on planning and delivering a smart metering pilot.
• Work alongside passionate and experienced water and programme specialists.

This is a 12-month fixed term position with a competitive remuneration. Appointment salary will be dependent on previous programme and project delivery experience.

The opportunity

Tiaki Wai is progressing a significant smart metering programme, moving to a Pilot to inform the detailed business case. With approximately 150,000 residential water meters planned for the full roll out, this initiative will support sustainable drinking water and better long-term outcomes for our customers and communities.

Reporting to the Programme Director, Water Metering, this 12-month role will focus on managing the planning, coordination, and delivery of the water metering pilot. You will bring together internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure the pilot is well planned, risks and dependencies are managed, and outcomes inform the next stages of the wider programme.

You will also work across the business to identify opportunities for improvement, manage project budgets and reporting, and ensure the pilot supports Tiaki Wai’s future-focused approach to water asset management and customer service.

About you

• Proven experience managing complex projects from planning through to delivery.
• Ability to navigate and lead through policy, access and engineering (mechanical and civil) challenges.
• Strong knowledge of project methodologies, with the ability to analyse and apply appropriate approaches to support successful delivery.
• Experience in contract management, including supplier relationships, performance monitoring, and contractual obligations.
• Strong project planning, risk, budget, and reporting skills.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing project dependencies.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, including working with technical experts, councils, communities, and iwi.
• A collaborative, outcomes-focused approach with a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

If you are a significantly experienced project leader who can bring people together and successfully deliver this critical pilot, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits

At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangements including up to 2 days working from home each week
• Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
• Formal and informal professional development opportunities

For a full list of our employee benefits click here.

About us

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.

We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long‑term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.

Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.

Applications close: 4th November 2026

Applicants will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work in New Zealand to be considered.