General Manager: Operations & Infrastructure

Tau ake rā te moana nei, e papaki kau ana ki te ākau tangata, kakenga waka ka mauru te tohu ki te arearenga o Mauao, he pou herenga mōu, he pou hononga mōu, kia herea ki te tika, kia herea ki te pono. Kia mau, kia ita, kia ū – haumi e, hui e, tāiki e!

Following a recent organisational transformation, Tauranga City Council has realigned its structure  to future-proof the strategic and operational delivery. As part of this change, we have established a new senior executive role – General Manager Operations & Infrastructure – a key strategic leadership position that reports directly to the Chief Executive.

Te Tūranga | About the role

As The General Manager Operations and Infrastructure provides strategic and operational leadership across Tauranga’s core city services and infrastructure portfolios, overseeing the planning, delivery, and management of transport, spaces and places, waters, and city operations.

You will be responsible for:

• driving the integration of long-term infrastructure planning with day-to-day service delivery to meet the needs of a growing and evolving community
• playing a critical role in shaping the city’s future by advancing sustainable infrastructure maintenance and solutions, lifting operational performance, and delivering high-impact community outcomes
• fostering strong collaboration across internal teams and with key external partners, including iwi, central government, and regional agencies, to align infrastructure investment and service priorities with broader organisational and governance goals.
• building a high performing teams and a positive culture that promotes effective and efficient delivery of high-impact community outcomes, with an emphasis on sound financial and resource management.

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring:

• Degree-level qualification in engineering is required; a postgraduate qualification in engineering, business, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Chartered or registered Civil Engineer status is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years’ senior leadership experience, including leading multi-disciplinary teams and complex, high-risk infrastructure and service delivery programmes.
• Proven experience in the planning, delivery, and management of large-scale capital and community infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated senior leadership within local government or a similarly complex and politically nuanced environment.
• Extensive experience in project and programme management, operational planning, and risk management.
• Experience working with or reporting to elected officials, boards or governance bodies and agencies, iwi partners in either Local Government or large commercial environments.
• Strong knowledge of the Local Government Act, Resource Management Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, and other relevant legislation.
• Deep understanding of infrastructure asset management and best practice service delivery.
• Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and lead through influence, collaboration, and clear communication.
• Knowledge of and respect for Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi), with demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships with iwi and Māori.
• Commitment to delivering inclusive, community-centred outcomes that align with organisational strategy and values.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | About Tauranga City Council

Tauranga City Council is one of Tauranga’s largest employers, and we are always looking to attract great talent to join our driven, passionate, and community-focused team.

We always strive to ensure that you feel valued and supported in the workplace, you can find out more about working at Tauranga City Council here.

Te Tukanga | How to apply

If you want to be part of a dynamic, energetic, and high-performing team, then we'd love to hear from you. For more information, please contact Rob Field at Rob.Field@tauranga.govt.nz

Please note we will not be accepting applications via email. If you wish to apply, please click ‘Apply’ at the bottom of this page and follow the link.

Applications will close 22 August 2025

We aim to attract a diverse pool of candidates that reflect our communities. It is a priority to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to apply for our positions. Should you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@tauranga.govt.nz.

• Our selection process may include behavioural interview(s), reference checks, and pre-employment screening. For more information about our process please refer to the application process tab on our careers website.
• Tauranga City Council will not accept applications or contact from any placement service, temporary staffing agency, or professional recruiter for this vacancy. If/where Tauranga City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our network of agencies. We ask that you please do not contact Tauranga City Council or any of its employees regarding vacancies. Tauranga City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to such unsolicited contact.

Job Description: General Manager: Operations & Infrastructure