Team Lead Asset Management Planning

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi in Christchurch invites a senior asset management leader to head a specialist team responsible for detailed lifecycle asset management plans and 10-year forward works programmes. You will align asset management solutions with strategic direction, mentor staff, collaborate with regional teams and external partners to translate complex data into value-for-money decisions.

This is a national role focused on leadership and investment planning for the state highway

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing people or specialist teams.
• Strong practical understanding of road assets and asset management planning.
• Experience developing or contributing to lifecycle plans, forward works programmes or investment planning.
• Advanced asset data literacy, analytical thinking and problem-solving capability.
• Programme or project management experience, coordinating multiple workstreams and priorities.
• Track record of advising, influencing and building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including explaining complex technical matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop a team of asset management planning specialists.
• Oversee the development and continuous improvement of lifecycle management plans and 10-year forward works programmes.
• Align asset management solutions and investment proposals with strategic direction, funding requirements and value-for-money expectations.
• Strengthen asset management processes, templates, guidance and organisational capability.
• Provide specialist advice, review and support across regional teams and external suppliers.
• Build effective relationships across Asset Management, Maintenance and Operations, programme offices, delivery teams and industry partners.
• Undertake horizon scanning and help improve systems and practices that support national asset management planning.

Skills

People leadership

Asset management

Lifecycle planning

Asset data literacy

Project/Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent

Job description

Permanent |Full-time | People leadership | National Asset Management

• Lead a specialist team
• Shape 10-year programmes
• Support better lifecycle management decisions

Te whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

This is an opportunity to lead a specialist team responsible for developing detailed lifecycle asset management plans and forward works programmes of up to 10 years. These programmes support national asset management, inform investment decisions and help shape corridor tactical delivery strategies across the state highway network.

Primarily a people leadership role, you will build an engaged, capable team while remaining connected to the technical work. You will bring together asset information, investment priorities and stakeholder perspectives to support prioritised, value-for-money outcomes.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

You will be an experienced people leader with strong asset management knowledge and the credibility to advise and influence across a complex organisation. You will be comfortable working with technical information, competing priorities and a wide range of internal and external partners.

• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing people or specialist teams
• Strong practical understanding of road assets and asset management planning
• Experience developing or contributing to lifecycle plans, forward works programmes or investment planning
• Advanced asset data literacy, analytical thinking and problem-solving capability
• Programme or project management experience, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and priorities
• A track record of advising, influencing and building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain complex technical matters
• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent practical experience.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead, support and develop a team of asset management planning specialists
• Oversee the development and continuous improvement of lifecycle management plans and 10-year forward works programmes
• Align asset management solutions and investment proposals with strategic direction, funding requirements and value-for-money expectations
• Strengthen asset management processes, templates, guidance and organisational capability
• Provide specialist advice, review and support across regional teams and external suppliers
• Build effective relationships across Asset Management, Maintenance and Operations, programme offices, delivery teams and industry partners
• Undertake horizon scanning and help improve the systems and practices that support national asset management planning.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

28 September 2026

For further information, email: [e-mail]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.