Special Projects Director

Lead strategic infrastructure projects from concept to completion!

Northpower is seeking an experienced and delivery-focused Strategic Projects Director to lead the governance, coordination and execution of complex and/or high-value projects across our Energy Services division. This role is pivotal in ensuring these projects are aligned with our strategy and delivered to the highest standards.

The Role

Reporting to the General Manager - Transmission & Growth, you’ll be responsible for leading projects from inception to delivery. You’ll be overseeing project governance, managing the strategic project portfolio, ensuring commercial alignment and leading engagement with key internal and external stakeholders.

You'll be at the centre of shaping the future of infrastructure delivery at Northpower - guiding major bids, forming project teams, managing risks and providing strategic assurance to Executive and Board stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead strategic projects from opportunity identification, bid strategy and negotiation, through to delivery assurance and project close-out
• Develop and implement governance frameworks, coordinate project stage gates, ensure alignment with internal delegations and Board approvals
• Prepare high-quality investment proposals, reports, and documentation for executive and Board decision-making
• Lead governance and approvals for large-scale tenders, ensuring commercial viability and delivery confidence
• Proactively manage risks, validate cost models, and provide input into contract structuring and pricing strategies
• Monitor project pipelines, ensure milestone tracking and lead post-implementation reviews to inform continuous improvement
• Assemble and lead cross-functional teams with the right mix of commercial, technical, and operational capabilities
• Build trust-based relationships across internal and external partners, driving collaboration and change leadership
  
  
  

What’s In It For You

At Northpower, we know that attracting exceptional leaders means offering more than just a role - it’s about purpose, impact, and growth. In this role, you will:

• Operate with true influence across senior leadership and Board forums, helping to shape the future direction of critical infrastructure projects
• Benefit from competitive remuneration and career development opportunities
• Receive well-being support including Kaitiaki Peer Support Network and EAP
• Be able to purchase an extra week of annual leave
• Receive fuel cards and a wide range of lifestyle discounts
• Expand your leadership capability through diverse, challenging work and genuine development opportunities in a growing organisation
  
  
  

About You

You are a senior leader with deep expertise in the delivery of complex infrastructure or utilities projects. You're commercially savvy, technically confident, and bring a proven ability to influence at executive and Board levels.

You’ll bring:

• A Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or Project Management (PMP or PRINCE2 preferred)
• Over 10 years of experience in project governance, commercial leadership, or programme oversight in the infrastructure or construction sectors
• A track record of leading high-value ($10M+) infrastructure projects, from bid to execution
• Strong understanding of contract management, risk frameworks, and financial/commercial analysis
• Confidence preparing and presenting strategic proposals to senior stakeholders
• Collaborative leadership style with experience leading multi-disciplinary teams
• Calm, structured decision-making ability under pressure and in dynamic environments
  
  
  

Why Northpower?

Northpower is an electricity and fibre network provider for Whangārei and Kaipara, with more than 60,000 connected customers.

Northpower is one of the largest multi-utility contractors in New Zealand, servicing the needs of clients in transmission, distribution, generation, fibre, renewables, and commercial sectors. We have a reputation for excellence and innovation, providing commercially viable solutions for electrical and telecommunication design, construction, and maintenance requirements.

We have over 1,400 staff working together across 16 locations to keep the power on and the lights going for our customers

Ready to lead the charge?

Apply now to help shape the delivery of strategic infrastructure for New Zealand’s future!