About the role

Company Profile

This progressive local authority operates in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing South Island districts, with a strong focus on infrastructure, customer service, and environmental outcomes. The organisation is establishing a wholly owned water services commercial company to deliver financially sustainable, operationally efficient, and compliant services aligned with the Local Water Done Well reforms.
You’ll join a pragmatic, low-ego, and partnership-minded environment committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and close collaboration with mana whenua. The programme has strong executive sponsorship and access to specialist partners.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Rare opportunity to stand up a new water services commercial company from the ground up.
• High-trust, high-visibility programme with genuine public impact across the district.
• Scope to embed robust governance, operating model, and regulatory readiness from day one.
• Work in partnership with Council leadership, iwi, suppliers, and regulators.

The Opportunity

• Lead the design and execution of governance frameworks, manage programme budget, risk, and assurance.
• Stand up the transition team and procure specialist vendors to deliver the full implementation plan.
• Integrate dependencies to achieve Day 1 launch by 1 July 2027.
• Ensure regulatory readiness (Taumata Arowai) and embed LWDW and Te Tiriti commitments throughout.

The Role

• Programme Leadership & Delivery: Convert the implementation plan into a master schedule, manage budget, forecasting, cost control, and risk.
• Governance & Decision Support: Drive governance design, reporting, and decision-ready documentation for the Executive.
• Resource Management: Build and lead the transition team, manage vendor partnerships, and oversee procurement with full probity.
• Stakeholder Management: Lead engagement with iwi partners, regulators, suppliers, and Council/Shareholder groups, ensuring Te Tiriti principles are embedded in design and delivery.

Your Fit

• 10+ years leading complex, multi-workstream programmes in the public sector or utilities.
• Proven experience establishing entities or forming Council-controlled organisations (CCOs).
• Mastery of programme disciplines (MSP, PRINCE2, or equivalent).
• Strong governance design, budgeting, risk, assurance, and procurement leadership.
• Understanding of water sector regulation (Taumata Arowai, LWDW).
• Skilled stakeholder manager with experience engaging elected members, ELT, iwi, suppliers, and regulators.
• Resilient, pragmatic leader with sound judgement and excellent communication.

Apply Now

If you’re ready to lead a once-in-a-generation programme with real community impact, apply now with your CV and a short note outlining your relevant establishment or CCO experience.