MANAGER - PORTFOLIO DELIVERY

Mō te tūranga \| About the role

As the Manager - Portfolio Delivery, you will provide senior leadership for the governance and oversight of multiple, complex infrastructure programmes focused on flood protection, river management and land drainage across the Waikato region. More broadly, you will lead the development of the approach to the directorate’s overall portfolio of work.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for portfolio governance and assurance across critical programmes of work, including investment oversight and financial stewardship. You will provide trusted advice to the Executive Leadership Team and elected members, navigating complex political and stakeholder environments to ensure programmes are planned, funded and governed to achieve agreed community outcomes.

Flexible location available, preferably Hamilton-based.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership and governance oversight of flood protection and land drainage programmes, ensuring alignment to organisational priorities, statutory obligations and agreed community and funding outcomes.
• Leading portfolio planning, prioritisation and investment advice for assigned programmes, including development of Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan work programmes.
• Setting clear performance expectations and monitoring programme performance across scope, schedule, budget, risk and benefits realisation, with robust assurance over delivery arrangements and outcomes.
• Providing high‑quality advice, briefings and recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team, Councillors and senior leaders to support decisions on flood risk, infrastructure investment, programme direction and emerging issues.
• Establishing and leading fit‑for‑purpose governance, reporting and assurance across programmes, including risk management, controls, and transparent performance reporting to governance forums.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with iwi, scheme committees, partners, funding agencies, stakeholders and other councils, influencing outcomes in complex and often competing interest environments.
• Leading and developing a high‑performing team, setting clear accountabilities and strengthening governance and assurance practices across internal teams and external providers.

Mō te tangata \| About you

You are an experienced senior portfolio and programme leader with credibility in infrastructure and catchment management, and a strong track record in governance, assurance, investment oversight and advising at executive and elected member level.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading major programmes or portfolios, with clear accountability for portfolio governance, assurance and performance reporting.
• Strong strategic and systems thinking, with the ability to translate long‑term objectives into prioritised, fundable investment programmes.
• Strong political acumen and confidence engaging with elected members and executive leaders, including providing clear advice in high‑profile and politically sensitive environments.
• Proven ability to navigate complexity, manage risk and assurance, problem-solve and provide well‑reasoned recommendations that balance competing priorities and constraints.
• Strong people leadership capability, including leading multidisciplinary teams and governing delivery arrangements across internal and external partners.
• A collaborative leadership style, with a focus on continuous improvement, integration across teams and shared outcomes.
• A genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, working in partnership with tangata whenua and supporting Māori outcomes.

Mō ngā pūkenga \| Qualifications and experience

Essential:

• A tertiary qualification in engineering, natural resource management, environmental science, river or catchment management, or a related discipline.
• Significant senior experience (typically 15+ years) in infrastructure, environmental or asset‑based programmes, including leadership of complex projects, programmes or portfolios with accountability for governance, assurance and investment performance.
• Qualifications in project, programme and portfolio management, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in budget management, financial forecasting and investment planning for large programmes of work.
• Advanced communication skills, with experience providing advice and recommendations to senior governance and leadership forums.
• Strong understanding of risk, governance frameworks and programme management methodologies.

Desirable:

• Experience working within local government or a highly regulated environment.
• Experience working in partnership with iwi, hapū or Māori organisations, and applying te ao Māori perspectives in programme delivery.

Mō te tīma \| About the team

• You will be part of the Integrated Catchment Management Directorate Senior Leadership Team.
• The role leads a small, high‑impact team responsible for coordinating portfolio governance, assurance and reporting across complex programmes and multiple technical disciplines.
• You will work closely with programme leaders, asset and finance functions, and specialist advisors across the organisation to support sound decision-making and governance outcomes.

Mō mātou \| About us

• We work hard to care for the mighty Waikato, so current and future generations will benefit from a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities.
• Our mahi is as diverse as the region we care for and the people who share it. Our work helps look after our region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.
• Customers sit at the heart of everything we do, and all staff have an important role to play in the delivery of exceptional customer service.
• By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better.
• Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Mō te tuku tono \| How to apply

• Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Sunday 21 June 2026.
• For a copy of the role description, please click here.
• If you have any questions about the role, please contact [email protected]
• Please click ‘apply’ and include your CV \& cover letter as a pdf.
• Apply now!