Team Leader Portfolio Delivery (Fixed Term)

About the Role

Napier City Council is committed to investing in critical infrastructure that maintains connectivity, resilience, and future readiness for our community. Amid ongoing reforms in the water sector, we are seeking a seasoned delivery leader to join our Capital Delivery team. This fixed-term position aims to fortify leadership in operational delivery throughout the transition to the new regional water entity.

Reporting to the Manager Capital Delivery, the successful candidate will oversee Portfolio Leads, ensuring seamless programme delivery, enhancing team capabilities, and standardising project planning, governance, and execution practices.

This position offers the chance to influence multiple portfolios, collaborate with consultants, contractors, and internal teams, and contribute to projects that have lasting community impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and nurture a high-performing team of Portfolio Leads, providing mentorship, guidance, and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture.
• Oversee the capital delivery programme, maintaining alignment with project scope, budgets, timelines, and quality standards.
• Enhance programme governance by embedding uniform project management methodologies, reporting protocols, and delivery frameworks across portfolios.
• Develop strong working relationships with consultants, contractors, internal teams, and stakeholders to facilitate coordinated and effective delivery.
• Support decision-making through risk identification, delivery issue resolution, and compiling programme-level reports and insights.
• Promote continuous improvement by advancing systems, processes, and delivery capabilities as Water Services transition towards their future operational framework.

Candidate Profile

We seek an experienced leader in infrastructure or capital delivery, passionate about team development, process improvement, and managing complex programmes that generate substantial community benefits. A collaborative leadership approach, adept commercial judgement, and excellence in balancing competing priorities while upholding quality outcomes are essential.

• Proven experience leading capital programmes, infrastructure projects, or portfolio delivery within complex settings.
• Track record of coaching and developing high-performing project or programme teams.
• Deep understanding of programme governance, project delivery, procurement, and contract management.
• Experienced in collaborating with consultants, contractors, and multiple partners to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills capable of influencing technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Organised, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset, committed to continuous improvement and ensuring safe delivery.

Benefits

• Access to Employee Assistance Program (OCP)
• Quarterly recognition awards, birthday vouchers, and social club activities
• Annual free influenza vaccinations
• Participation in Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga and NCC Kapa Haka
• Te Reo Māori language classes

Additional Information

This full-time position (40 hours per week, Monday to Friday) is fixed term until 30 June 2027 and based in Napier.

The annual salary package ranges from $123,817 to $138,383 inclusive of KiwiSaver, commensurate with skills and experience.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is identified. Napier City Council embraces diversity as an equal opportunity employer and supports applicants from all backgrounds. Assistance and adjustments are available during recruitment to ensure accessibility.

Pre-employment checks including criminal background screening are mandatory; some roles may require health screening and drug & alcohol testing. Employees may be engaged in Civil Defence emergencies when needed.

Napier City Council values strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, fostered through the Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which enhances cultural competence via education and training.