Strategic Project Manager - Faculty of Arts & Education

University of Auckland; Auckland; On-site; NZD 139,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in New Zealand is seeking a Strategic Project Manager to lead high-impact initiatives within the Faculty of Arts and Education. This full-time role involves managing the Archaeology Collection Initiative and engaging with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate should possess strong project management experience and commercial acumen along with relevant qualifications. The position offers a competitive salary and flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexible employment practices

Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme

Five weeks’ annual leave

Competitive parental leave scheme

Qualifications

• 5-7 years Project Management experience.
• Familiarity with property services and capital projects.
• Strong commercial acumen and budget management.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in complex organisations and academic environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Archaeology Collection Initiative.
• Act as the faculty ‘Client Rep’ into Property Services.
• Develop business cases for new academic programmes.

Skills

Project Management experience

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Understanding of tikanga and cultural sensitivities

Education

Bachelor's degree or relevant tertiary qualification

Prosci Change Management certification

Job description

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are seeking a Strategic Project Manager to lead high-impact initiatives within the Faculty of Arts and Education. This is Project Management with a difference! As a newly created role, it offers the opportunity to shape and deliver cultural, operational and academic projects, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across the faculty and broader University community.

Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education, your immediate focus will be on the Archaeology Collection Initiative. You will work with faculty leaders to define the project scope, and partner with academic subject matter experts to develop a timeline and milestones to support their achievement of the cataloguing, curation, management and appropriate storage of a large collection of archaeological and historical artefacts.

Beyond this, you will support strategic projects related to the faculty’s annual Academic Plan, for example:

• acting as the faculty ‘Client Rep’ into Property Services on capital build projects
• business case development (where applicable) for new or reinvigorated academic programmes
• investigation and implementation of improvement initiatives to achieve efficiencies, legislative compliance or improved student outcomes.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent opportunity.

The salary range for this role is $139,201 - $159,100 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

For more detailed information on the role accountabilities and requirements, please review the position description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You will be self-managing, have strong commercial acumen and the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships and influence at pace. You will have:

• 5-7 years Project Management experience.
• Familiarity with property services and capital projects.
• Strong commercial acumen and budget management.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Understanding of tikanga and cultural sensitivities.
• Experience in complex organisations and academic environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant tertiary qualification.
• Prosci Change Management certification (advantageous).

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave
• Competitive parental leave scheme

For more information, please visit our Staff Benefits page.

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

If this role sounds like you, please click on the apply button and follow the prompts. Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of Thursday 04 December 2025 to be considered.

If you have questions about this position, please reach out via email to [e-mail]. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpu, iMVPFAFF, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz