Water & Wastewater Manager

Taituarā; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Professional development support

Long-term career progression

Job summary

Waimakariri District Council is seeking a Water & Wastewater Manager to lead the strategic management, development and delivery of the district's water supply and wastewater services. Reporting to the Water Services Manager, you will guide long-term infrastructure planning, asset strategies and capital programmes.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, ensure regulatory compliance, and partner with regulators, consultants and the community to deliver sustainable outcomes and resilient services

Qualifications

• Degree in civil engineering or related field; CPEng preferred.
• Senior-level experience in water/wastewater utilities or infrastructure management.
• Strong asset management, strategic planning and investment skills.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex programmes.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, stakeholders and service delivery.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship management skills.
• Local government or regulated environment experience is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Deliver safe, reliable, compliant, and affordable water and wastewater services.
• Lead strategic asset management and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Develop and implement water services strategies, asset management plans and investment programmes.
• Oversee capital works programmes and support project delivery.
• Lead and develop a team of technical specialists.
• Drive compliance with drinking water standards, resource consents and regulatory requirements.
• Manage budgets, development contributions and financial planning.
• Support growth planning, climate resilience and sustainable service delivery.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Civil engineering

Strategic planning

Asset management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Budget management

Communication

Team development

Education

Civil engineering degree

Related engineering or science degree

CPEng status preferred

Job description

Lead the future of water services in one of New Zealand'sfastest-growing districts.

Waimakariri District is growing rapidly, and with thatgrowth comes an exciting opportunity to shape the future of essential waterinfrastructure. We are seeking a Water & Wastewater Manager to lead thestrategic management, development, and delivery of our water supply andwastewater services.

This is a pivotal leadership role where you'll influencelong-term infrastructure planning, drive service excellence, ensure regulatorycompliance, and help deliver sustainable outcomes for our communities andenvironment.

At Waimakariri District Council, our purpose is simple:

To make Waimakariri a great place to be, in partnershipwith our communities.

You'll join a progressive organisation that valuesintegrity, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. You'll havethe opportunity to:

• Leadthe management of critical water supply & wastewater infrastructure.
• Influencelong-term planning and investment decisions for a high-growth district.
• Workalongside talented technical professionals and industry specialists.
• Partnerwith elected members, regulators, consultants, and the wider community.
• Contributeto sustainable environmental outcomes and community wellbeing.
• Playa key role in responding to industry reforms and evolving water-sectorregulations.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Water Services Manager, you will provideleadership across the planning, operation, maintenance, and development of thedistrict's water supply and wastewater assets.

You will be responsible for:

• Deliveringsafe, reliable, compliant, and affordable water and wastewater services.
• Leadingstrategic asset management and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Developingand implementing water services strategies, asset management plans, andinvestment programmes.
• Overseeingcapital works programmes and supporting the successful delivery ofinfrastructure projects.
• Leadingand developing a team of technical specialists.
• Drivingcompliance with drinking water standards, resource consents, andregulatory requirements.
• Managingbudgets, development contributions, and financial planning.
• Supportinggrowth planning, climate resilience initiatives, and sustainable servicedelivery.
• Buildingstrong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

About you

To succeed in this role, you'll bring a combination oftechnical expertise, strategic thinking, and people leadership.

You'll ideally have:

• A degree in civil engineering, or relatedengineering or science degree, with CPEng status preferred.
• Significant senior-level experience in water,wastewater, utilities or infrastructure management.
• Strong expertise in asset management, strategicplanning and infrastructure investment.
• Demonstrated experience leadingmultidisciplinary teams and complex programmes.
• Proven success managing budgets, stakeholdersand service delivery outcomes.
• Excellent communication, influencing andrelationship management skills.
• Experiencewithin local government or a similarly regulated environment will behighly regarded.

What we offer

• Competitive remuneration package.
• Flexible working options.
• Professional membership and mentoring supportthrough our Engineering New Zealand Professional Development Partnership.
• 15 days sick leave and the option to purchaseadditional annual leave.
• Long service leave recognition.
• Free access to Council aquatic facilities.
• An active social club and supportive team culture.
• The opportunity to genuinely influence the futureof water services in a growing district.

Please note, to apply for this role you must be eligible towork in New Zealand.