Head of Programme Delivery

Shape strategic investment into better outcomes for communities.

Lead and mentor experienced Programme Managers to deliver excellence

Play a pivotal role in transforming the way capital programmes are delivered

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week

Location Petone

The remuneration Midpoint for this role is $193, 488 (including KiwiSaver), depending on skills and experience

The opportunity

Lead the successful delivery of Wellington Water’s capital programme, ensuring strategic investment is translated into high-quality, value-driven outcomes for the region.

You will provide leadership to Programme Managers and Team Leaders, drive programme performance, strengthen delivery capability and coordination, and maintain strong governance, financial oversight, and stakeholder confidence across a complex portfolio of infrastructure programmes.

Working at a strategic level, you will help shape the future of capital delivery while ensuring programmes remain aligned to annual plans, business objectives, operational needs, and community outcomes.

• Lead the planning, prioritisation and delivery of complex capital programmes, ensuring alignment with approved investment and business cases.

• Develop a high-performing programme management function through coaching, mentoring and capability uplift of Programme Managers.

• Drive programme governance (PCG’s and PSG), financial performance and risk management to deliver successful outcomes within funding envelopes.

• Decision maker and dynamic portfolio leader who can balance delivery risk, investment constraints and asset outcomes, while keeping the capital delivery programme moving.

• Build trusted relationships with mana whenua, contractors, consultants, community groups and senior stakeholders to maintain confidence in delivery.

• Be the conduit between the organisation and Capital Delivery, and ensure the delivery machine has a robust, delivery-ready programme spanning multiple years.

• Champion continuous improvement, operational readiness and benefits realisation across a growing capital delivery portfolio.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in engineering, infrastructure, business, programme management, or a related discipline.

• Local Government Delivery and asset stewardship experience.

• Formal programme or project management qualifications such as MSP, PgMP, PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent.

• Extensive experience leading large-scale infrastructure programmes or portfolios within a complex delivery environment.

• Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams, including coaching senior programme and delivery professionals.

• Strong commercial, financial, procurement, and portfolio management expertise, with the ability to optimise programme performance and outcomes.

• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, consultants, contractors, mana whenua, and community groups.

Benefits

At Wellington Water, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our benefits include:

• This position supports flexible working arrangements including up to 1 day working from home

• Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually

• Formal and informal professional development opportunities

• 5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service

For a full list of our employee benefits click here.

Wellington Water Ltd is the professional water services provider across Greater Wellington and South Wairarapa. Our job is to provide safe and healthy drinking water, collect and treat wastewater, and ensure the stormwater network is well managed. We’re a multi-council owned entity, tasked to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities. From 1 July 2026, a new chapter in water services begins. Tiaki Wai will take over responsibility for providing Three Waters Services to approximately 433,000 residents across the Wellington metro regions.

Tiaki Wai will own the water assets it operates giving it greater independence to manage and improve water services for current and future communities, Wellington Water employees will transition into this new council-owned entity.

The value of water (a precious taonga) sits at our organisational heart. Our people are passionate about providing water services for our communities and environment which is reflective in our values; Tangata Tiaki, Whānau and Mana.

Applications close: 12th July 2026

How to apply

To view a copy of the position description: click here

To apply for the role, click on the ”apply” button or visit the Wellington Water Careers site, please note if you are a Wellington Water employee please apply using your work email.

For further information, email: ***email_hidden***

Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Wellington Water. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.