Water Services Transition Manager

Hutt City Council; Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hutt City Council is seeking a strategic programme leader for a significant water reform transition. This senior role involves managing complex projects, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with regional goals in a politically sensitive environment, with an emphasis on long-term service delivery and community engagement.

Benefits

Paid birthday leave

Wellbeing leave

Flexible working options

Paid volunteer leave

Qualifications

• Experience in large-scale project delivery.
• Proven experience in managing transitions or establishing new agencies.
• Strong understanding of public sector and government context.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transition project including governance and delivery.
• Develop change management strategies for staff and community.
• Identify and mitigate risks, ensuring financial planning.

Skills

Project Management

Change Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Governance

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

• Lead a once in a generation water reform transition for Lower Hutt
• Shape the future of local water delivery in Aotearoa
• Inclusive, purpose-driven workplace with great benefits and flexible work options
• 18-month fixed term position
  
  

About The Role

We're seeking a strategic and experienced programme leader to drive the successful transition of Hutt City Council's water services to a new regional Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO). This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the reform programme and ensure local needs and values are reflected in delivery outcomes.

You'll lead the implementation of the Hutt City Council elements of the regional Water Services Delivery Plan. This requires managing a complex project and change processes and working closely with the regional transition team and a wide range of stakeholders to ensure a smooth, timely and high-integrity transfer.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Lead the transition: oversee all aspects of the transition project including governance, workstream setup and delivery, reporting, and communications.
• Champion change: develop and implement change management strategies that support Council staff, customers and community through the transition.
• Manage risk & finance: identify and mitigate risks, ensure sound financial planning, and manage key deliverables like asset and debt transfers.
• Engage stakeholders: build strong relationships with internal and external partners, including the regional transition team, iwi, and central government agencies.
• Strategic delivery: align with regional goals and long-term Council strategies, ensuring resource planning and continuous improvement.
  
  

About You

This is a senior role requiring an experienced strategic leader with the confidence to deliver a complex, high-impact transition programme in a politically sensitive environment. You'll bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and strong experience in large-scale project or programme delivery.
• Proven experience managing transitions or the establishment of new agencies or entities.
• Strong understanding of the public sector and central/local government context.
• Expertise in project and change management, with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A collaborative, adaptable leadership style and the ability to inspire confidence across diverse workstreams and partners.
  
  

About Us

At Hutt City Council our vision is to build a connected, resilient and inclusive city where all our people thrive. Kia noho mai tēnei tāone hei pou herenga waka, hei pou herenga kaupapa, hei wāhi whai hua ki hōna iwi.

Our people are 'proud to be part of it' - working here is truly rewarding knowing together we're making a genuine difference to Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt and its people, both now and into the future. Tūhono mai. Come join us!

Some Of Our Great Benefits Include

• Paid birthday leave! Take a day off to celebrate YOU
• Wellbeing leave, plus additional wellbeing perks
• Flexible working options
• One paid volunteer leave day each year
  
  

Applications close at 11.55pm on 26 June 2025. Please note that we may review applications before the closing date and encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to withdraw the job advertisement at any time.