Strategic Programme Planning Manager

Watercare; Auckland; On-site; NZD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Life and income protection insurance

Generous parental leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

Watercare in Newmarket, Auckland is seeking a Strategic Programme Planning Manager to lead feasibility, planning and development of large-scale infrastructure programmes crucial to Auckland's future.

The role requires delivering complex programmes valued from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, with governance, reporting and senior stakeholder engagement at the core. You will drive options development, investment planning and business case preparation in a high-profile setting.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success delivering complex infrastructure programmes.
• Ability to navigate uncertainty and deliver outcomes with limited direction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for high‑quality reports and board papers.
• Experience with options development, investment planning and business case preparation.
• Experience in water, wastewater, utilities or related infrastructure is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead feasibility, planning and programme development for large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Define milestones, risks and dependencies and actively manage them.
• Provide confidence to senior leaders and Watercare’s Board through governance and reporting.
• Build trusted relationships with executive leaders, delivery teams, regulators, iwi and communities.
• Drive alignment across multiple workstreams to meet statutory obligations and strategic objectives.

Skills

Programme leadership

Governance & reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Risk management

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in engineering, project management, planning, infrastructure, or related discipline

Job description

## Strategic Programme Planning ManagerApply: Newmarket: Full time: Posted 4 Days Ago: End Date: October 14, 2026 (15 days left to apply): JR100136**He kōrero mō mātou | About Watercare** Ki te ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata*When the water is healthy, the land and the people are healthy* There's never been a better time to join Watercare. We're delivering a $15.2 billion, 10-year capital investment programme, the largest in our history, creating opportunities to work on transformative infrastructure, sustainability and digital projects that will shape Auckland's future. With more than $4 million invested every day, you'll be part of work that makes a lasting difference to our communities and environment. **He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About this role**We are currently recruiting a Strategic Programme Planning Manager to support the planning and development of large-scale infrastructure programmes that are critical to Auckland's future.This is an influential role for an experienced programme leader who thrives in complexity, can operate with a high degree of autonomy, and is comfortable engaging with senior executives and governance stakeholders.In this role, you will:* Lead the feasibility, planning and programme development phases of large-scale infrastructure programmes valued from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.* Bring structure, discipline and momentum to complex programmes of work, ensuring delivery objectives, milestones, risks and dependencies are clearly understood and actively managed.* Provide confidence to senior leaders and Watercare's Board through robust programme governance, reporting and planning processes.* Navigate ambiguity and uncertainty, progressing work and achieving outcomes with only occasional direction from senior management.* Lead strategic options development and assessment activities, helping inform investment decisions and long-term infrastructure planning.* Ensure programmes are appropriately defined, prioritised and prepared for successful delivery through subsequent project lifecycle phases.* Develop high-quality reports, business cases, board papers and communications that are clear, concise and easily understood by a variety of audiences.* Build trusted relationships and influence across a broad stakeholder landscape, including executive leaders, delivery teams, consultants, regulators, iwi and community representatives.* Facilitate constructive discussions and make difficult conversations productive, addressing issues early while maintaining strong working relationships.* Drive alignment across multiple workstreams to support Watercare's statutory obligations, strategic objectives and community commitments.**Ngā pūkenga e rapu nei mātou | About you**You’re an experienced programme leader who has successfully delivered complex infrastructure programmes and can demonstrate the ability to operate effectively in demanding, high-profile environments.Your experience and capabilities will include:* Demonstrated success bringing structure, discipline and momentum to large, complex programmes of work, providing confidence to executive teams and governance bodies that delivery outcomes are on track and risks are proactively managed.* The ability to work through uncertainty, solve complex problems and deliver outcomes with limited direction, while maintaining alignment with strategic objectives.* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality reports, business cases, board papers and stakeholder communications that are easily understood by diverse audiences.* A strong understanding of the full project and programme lifecycle, particularly options development, investment planning, business case development, programme definition and preparation for delivery.* Proven ability to influence and lead across complex stakeholder groups, including the confidence to have challenging conversations in a respectful, constructive manner that builds trust and drives positive outcomes.* Significant experience leading programmes or major projects valued at $100 million+, ideally within infrastructure, utilities, transport, water, energy or other capital-intensive environments.* Experience engaging with executive leadership teams and governance boards, supported by strong commercial and political acumen.* A relevant tertiary qualification in engineering, project management, planning, infrastructure, or a related discipline.* Experience within water, wastewater, utilities or related infrastructure sectors will be highly regarded.**Ngā hua mōu | What's in it for you**We offer a competitive salary and staff benefits package including: • Training and development opportunities • Life and income protection insurance plans • Generous parental leave • Employee discounts at a range of large retailers**Me pēhea te tono mai | How to Apply**Come and join our team! If you are looking for an exciting career opportunity with a fantastic team then please apply online today - careers.watercare.co.nz.