Surface Water Delivery Manager

Selwyn District Council; Rolleston; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at Selwyn District Council, leading the management of our Surface Waters portfolio. This position requires a proven leader with deep expertise in infrastructure and environmental compliance to ensure operational excellence and community satisfaction. Enjoy competitive benefits, a great work-life balance, and the chance to shape the future of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts.

Benefits

Career coaching and professional development

Life insurance

Wellbeing and volunteering leave

Paid leave over the Christmas/New Year period

Two weeks paid Partners Leave

Sick leave from day one

Exclusive staff discounts with local and national businesses

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience in a large organization.
• Expertise in surface water systems and asset management.
• Strong understanding of stormwater management planning.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development, operation, and maintenance of surface waters schemes.
• Managing routine maintenance and minor capital works across the portfolio.
• Providing expert advice on operational performance and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Environmental compliance

Communication skills

Job description

As a key member of our Operational Delivery Leadership Team, you'll oversee the end-to-end management of our Surface Waters portfolio, which includes, stormwater, land drainage, and water race systems. This role is integral to ensuring our district's infrastructure meets operational performance, regulatory compliance, environmental standards, and community expectations.

You'll lead a skilled team and drive performance through strong leadership, technical expertise, and continuous innovative improvement initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development, operation, and maintenance of Selwyn's surface waters schemes.
• Managing routine maintenance and minor capital works across the Surface Waters portfolio.
• Providing expert advice on operational performance, environmental compliance, and RMA requirements.
• Developing and presenting high-quality reports to Council, working groups, and industry bodies.
• Setting strategic and measurable goals that align with Council priorities.
• Making sound, evidence-based decisions that balance service needs with fiscal responsibility.

About you

You're a proven leader with a passion for infrastructure and the environment.

You thrive in complex, multidisciplinary environments and have deep expertise in surface water systems and asset management.

You'll bring:

• 10+ years of leadership experience in a large and complex organisation.
• Extensive knowledge of surface waters infrastructure: waterways, culverts, land drainage networks, stock water systems, stormwater wetlands, and more.
• Strong understanding of environmental compliance, resource consents, and stormwater management planning.
• Demonstrated success in managing operational teams and capital works projects.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience preparing reports and advice for Council or governance bodies.

What we offer

At Selwyn District Council, we support our people with benefits that matter:

• Career coaching and professional development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteering leave
• Paid leave over the Christmas/New Year period
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Exclusive staff discounts with local and national businesses

About us

Selwyn is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts, offering a high quality of life, thriving communities, and access to some of the country's most beautiful natural landscapes. Just 25km from Christchurch, Rolleston is a hub of family-friendly living, with easy access to rivers, mountains, and ski fields.

At Selwyn District Council, we are guided by our core values:

• Be a good human
• Be brave - Think differently
• Better together - Make it happen for Selwyn

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and are committed to working in partnership with iwi to uphold our obligations.

This role is safety-sensitive and will require satisfactory police vetting and pre-employment drug and alcohol test.

What we can offer:

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteer leave
• Three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Discounts with local and national businesses

Ready to shape Selwyn's future?

Apply now and bring your leadership and technical expertise to a district that's making things happen.

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