Senior Project Manager - City Waters

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!

Te Tūranga | About the role

Help shape Tauranga’s future by leading the delivery of complex and high‑value water infrastructure projects that support a healthy and liveable city for generations to come.

Our City Waters team delivers a significant and evolving 3‑waters capital programme across Tauranga. As a Senior Project Manager, you’ll lead some of our more complex and high‑risk projects, shape delivery approaches, and provide leadership across the programme to support consistent, high‑quality outcomes.

This role is ideal for someone who brings strong professional judgement, thrives in complexity, and enjoys influencing outcomes while lifting capability across the team.

As a Senior Project Manager, you’ll be responsible for:

• Leading the delivery of complex, high‑value, or high‑risk water infrastructure projects
• Setting project delivery strategies, procurement approaches, and commercial frameworks
• Managing cross‑project risks, interdependencies, and escalations
• Influencing senior stakeholders and providing advice to leaders and governance groups
• Supporting and mentoring Project Managers to support capability uplift and consistent delivery
• Driving continuous improvement across project management practices

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification (engineering, project management, or similar)
• Demonstrated success delivering complex or high‑risk infrastructure programmes
• Strong commercial judgement across procurement, contracts, and financial management
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and navigate competing priorities
• Experience leading project teams, mentoring others, and lifting delivery capability
• A confident, solutions‑focused approach grounded in collaboration and continuous improvement

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | About Tauranga City Council

At Tauranga City Council, our Waters Division plays a vital role in shaping the future of our city’s water infrastructure and services. Whether it's managing stormwater, improving freshwater systems, or delivering innovative solutions for water supply and wastewater, our team is at the forefront of protecting and enhancing Tauranga’s natural environment and community wellbeing.

We’re proud to be one of Tauranga’s largest employers, and we’re always looking for passionate, skilled professionals to join our collaborative and community-focused team. In the Waters Division, you’ll be part of a group that values technical excellence, teamwork, and making a real impact.

To support our people, we offer:

• Five weeks of annual leave
• Career development opportunities to help you reach your professional goals
• A strong team culture where your contributions are valued and your wellbeing is supported

If you're ready to help shape the future of water in Tauranga, we’d love to hear from you.

Te Tukanga | How to apply

For any questions about the role, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at Recruitment@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.

We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so don’t wait—this role may be filled before the closing date. Applications officially close on 31st March.

We’re committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities.
If you need any support or adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@tauranga.govt.nz

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.
• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.

Job Description: Senior Project Manager - City Waters