Programme Manager - Minor Works at Tiaki Wai, Wellington - Wairarapa

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Lead a diverse programme of water infrastructure improvements
• Develop and lead a skilled team of engineers delivering critical works
• Combine people leadership with hands-on technical and programme delivery

Based at our Petone Office, this is a full-time role (40 hours per week).

The opportunity

This is a key leadership role in delivering Tiaki Wai's minor capital works programme, improving the performance and reliability of Wellington's water, wastewater and stormwater networks.

As Programme Manager - Minor Works, you'll lead a team of eight, overseeing a diverse programme of minor capital renewal, planned improvement, urgent and reactive works across critical three waters infrastructure. Projects will include the renewal and upgrade of pipes, reservoirs, pump stations, flow meters, pressure control valves and network sensors, ensuring essential assets continue to operate safely, efficiently and reliably.

You'll be responsible for programme planning, prioritisation, coordination, delivery and financial performance, ensuring projects are appropriately resourced and delivered safely, on time and within budget. Managing a varied portfolio of works, you'll balance immediate network needs with planned asset renewals and improvements, responding to emerging risks while maintaining momentum across the programme.

This role balances people leadership, strategic oversight, and hands-on technical involvement. You'll develop and support a team of engineers, guide complex delivery decisions and work closely with Network Operations, Strategy and Planning, Capital Delivery and external partners to ensure the right improvements are prioritised and delivered.

You will:

• lead and develop a team of engineers, building a collaborative, accountable and high-performing delivery culture
• oversee the planning, prioritisation and delivery of the minor capital works programme, managing cost, schedule, resources, risk and performance
• manage the Capital Improvements Register, assess network risks and defects, and determine appropriate delivery pathways
• drive operational improvements, strengthening engineering practices, programme efficiency and long-term network reliability
• build strong relationships across internal teams, contractors, councils and stakeholders, providing technical leadership and resolving complex delivery challenges.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• a relevant tertiary engineering qualification and a full driver's licence
• strong engineering experience within the water sector, ideally in an operational environment
• demonstrated experience leading engineers or technical teams, with the ability to coach, develop and motivate others
• significant experience in asset and network management, including investigating network performance issues
• proven experience delivering maintenance and capital projects, working with contractors from initial scoping through to completion.

Desirable: Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status and/or a recognised project management qualification.

Benefits

At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our benefits include:

• flexible working arrangements, including up to two days working from home
• comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
• formal and informal professional development opportunities
• five weeks annual leave accrual will be available following two years of continual service.

For a full list of our employee benefits, click here.

About us

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.

We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long-term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.

Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.

Applications close: 28th October 2026

How to apply

To view a copy of the position description, click here.

To apply for the role, click on the 'apply' button or visit the Tiaki Wai Careers site. If you are a Tiaki Wai employee, please apply using your work email.

For further information, email: JoinUs@tiakiwai.co.nz

Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.