Programme Director - Infrastructure at NZ Defence Force, Canterbury

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Mō te tūnga | About the role

The Programme Director is responsible for leading a team through the design and delivery of the Burnham Infrastructure Programme. You will ensure the overall integrity and coherence of the programme, including the delivery of complex works and infrastructure maintenance programmes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering significant programmes of both vertical and horizontal construction;
• Effectively coordinating the programme's projects and actively managing their inter-dependencies including oversight of any risks and issues;
• Dynamic leadership of your team (both internal and external resource) with a positive and pro-active culture of implementing improvements;
• Developing and maintaining the programme environment to support each individual project within it;
• Contributing at a strategic level and ensuring the programme continues to deliver successful outcomes; and
• Developing effective working relationships with Estate and Infrastructure leadership and key stakeholders.

This position is fixed-term and will conclude in November 2026. It will involve frequent travel between Wellington Headquarters and Burnham Military Camp.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

Your stakeholder engagement and buy-in will be the key to your success. Along with communicating and reporting effectively at an executive level, you will be an expert at developing influential and trusted relationships. You must be agile and pragmatic in your approach, and quick adapt within a changing environment. 

You will also have the following:

• Experience leading and delivering large complex infrastructure maintenance works programmes and projects;
• Proven leadership experience developing high performing teams of specialists;
• Confident, well –developed communication and relationship/ contractor management experience;
• Successful experience in compiling large complex work programmes, scheduling, financials and benefits management, resource management, risk/issue and scope management; and
• Considerable experience ensuring that all H&S requirements are meet and adhered to.

Mō mātou | About Us

Defence Estate and Infrastructure develop, maintain and manage land, property and infrastructure assets in order to support NZDF military capabilities through the Defence Estate Regeneration Programme. The Defence estate comprises over 80,000ha of land with infrastructure and buildings with a replacement value of some $2.8bn.

The Defence Estate Regeneration Programme has a key role in ensuring government investment is strategically aligned with appropriately managed risk and encourages a consistent and collaborative working approach across the group. The programme's mission is to deliver a safe, modern, and fit-for-purpose Defence Estate and provides substantial funding for maintenance and operations and new capital projects to address deteriorating infrastructure.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

NZDF is an inclusive organisation that is open to flexible working arrangements and welcomes applications from people regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, age, beliefs/opinions, or family circumstances.

In return for your expertise, dedication and hard work, NZDF is offering remuneration reflective of your experience, along with:

• Great benefits for you and your family.
• Full time ongoing work.
• Fully funded life cover up to $300,000.
• Access to holiday accommodation across NZ.
• 5 weeks annual leave per year.
• Access to onsite facilities such as gym, cafe and pool;
• Flexible working environment and positive culture.
• Variety, challenge and a chance to influence.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

To view the Position Description and to Apply, please use the links on this page.

Please note:

• Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.
• If you are an existing NZDF employee (excluding contractors) you must apply through our Internal Vacancies site, via the HR Toolkit.

Applications close on Wednesday 22 March 2023.

Please note: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand (NZ) and be able to obtain and maintain the required level of NZ Government security clearance for the position applied for. The minimum citizenship and residency criteria for security clearances to be granted by the NZ Defence Force are as follows:

Higher level Security Clearance

• most preferably a NZ citizen who has resided continuously in this country for the last 10 years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last 10 years: either Australia, Canada, NZ, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.