Work Lead - Hydrographic Chart Squad at Land Information New Zealand, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

The New Zealand Hydrographic Authority (NZHA), part of Toitū Te Whenua, is seeking an experienced operational leader to provide work leadership for our Chart Production Squad. You'll lead both business-as-usual delivery and participation in a major digital transformation programme, delivering critical navigational safety products for New Zealand waters, parts of Antarctica and the Southwest Pacific.

You don't need to be a nautical charting expert! You'll be leading a squad of experienced and developing Geospatial Specialists with growing technical expertise. What's essential is proven experience leading operational production teams through change, managing multiple workstreams under pressure, and building collaborative relationships. Experience with geospatial data is required, but maritime domain knowledge can be developed on the job.

Working in an Agile environment, you'll collaborate with the Home Lead (People Leadership) and Senior Leaders to build squad capability, balance competing priorities, and engage with maritime stakeholders including Maritime NZ, ports, and harbour masters.

 

What you'll do

• Lead operational delivery of navigational charting products (paper charts, electronic charts, notices to mariners, nautical almanac) to quality standards and deadlines
• Manage work programme, prioritise multiple workstreams, and balance competing demands across business-as-usual and transformation initiatives
• Lead the squad through significant operational change, embedding new processes and supporting staff through the Maritime Digital Transformation while maintaining delivery standards
• Facilitate Agile ceremonies (sprints, stand-ups, retrospectives) and collaborate across Value Streams to ensure aligned priorities and delivery
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal squads and external stakeholders (Maritime NZ, ports, harbour masters, distribution networks) to ensure collaborative delivery
• Identify and implement operational improvements to optimise production workflows and efficiency
• Ensure customer-first approach in all product and service delivery
• Coach, mentor, and develop squad capability through regular feedback and knowledge sharing

 

He pūkenga tou - Skills & Experience

 

Operational Delivery Leadership

• Proven experience leading operational production teams to deliver products/services to customers on time and to quality standards
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritise deliverables, and balance competing demands
• Proven experience identifying and implementing operational improvements to optimise production workflows and efficiency

 

Change Leadership & Agile Delivery

• Ability to lead teams through significant operational change, embedding new processes and supporting staff through transitions while maintaining delivery standards
• Proven ability to lead a squad using Agile methodologies, including facilitating ceremonies (sprints, stand-ups, retrospectives), while collaborating effectively with multiple other squads

 

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships across internal squads and with external stakeholders to align priorities and ensure collaborative delivery
• Strong customer-centric mindset with proven experience delivering products and services that meet customer needs
• Commitment to coaching, mentoring, and developing staff capability

 

Geospatial Fundamentals

• Working knowledge of geospatial principles and experience managing geospatial data and product delivery

 

Desirable: While not requirements, any of the following would be beneficial

• Awareness of IHO standards and specifications for hydrographic products
• Knowledge of chart production lifecycle, SOLAS obligations, or Maritime Safety Information
• IHO Category B Nautical Cartography Qualification
• Technical expertise with Caris Teledyne HPD Suite and ENC Validation Software
• Experience developing automation processes using Python and AI best practices

 

The annual full-time salary range for this role is between $130,000 to $145,000 depending on skills and experience:

 

  Ngā mea e tukuna ana e tātau – What we offer our employees 

• Interesting work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai.
• Wellbeing allowance reimbursement
• Ability to purchase additional leave
• Annual Flu Vaccinations
• Reduced Health Insurance Premiums
• Diverse groups and networks
• If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks.
• A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave

 

Te Tākinatanga - Our Story

Toitū Te Whenua plays a vital role in understanding, developing, and caring for New Zealand's whenua, moana and arawai (land, sea and waterways). Whether you're developing our products and services to support our customers, managing the Crown estate, engaging with our iwi partners, or helping us be an effective regulator, your contribution can make a difference. Our mahi helps New Zealanders have confidence that the development of our land, communities and country is being planned from an informed and expert position that balances environmental, social, cultural, and economic considerations, now and for future generations.

 

Our Kia Toipoto Intentions - Public Service Gender, Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan

Toitū Te Whenua is a diverse team of individuals with different experience and perspectives. This drives our culture and high performance.  We know that people from underrepresented groups and women in particular don't apply for roles if they're not a 100% match, but we're not looking for perfection, we're looking for potential.  As an inclusive and supportive employer, we value difference and want to encourage anyone interested to apply, regardless of whether you tick all the boxes or not. As an organisation we embrace diversity, encourage work life balance and have a flexible approach to the way we work which means you will quickly feel connected and valued.

 

Tono mai - How to Apply

If you're eyeing up this role and believe you've got what it takes, please apply, or get in touch with the team. 

To apply, please click “Apply Online.” You'll be taken through to our Toitū Te Whenua Careers Centre where you'll be able to review further information about the responsibilities and accountabilities of this role in the Position Description. You'll be able to complete your online application form and upload a copy of your CV/Cover Letter. 

Please note, while applications close on Tuesday 17 February 2026, we may be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.

 

For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process. You must have, or be able to obtain, the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this position. 

 

You may notice that the Position Description title for this role Principal Geospatial Specialist – Level Wha/ 4 doesn't match the advertised title.  At Toitū Te Whenua we design our roles around shared capabilities (rather than focusing on tasks). This means our position descriptions are broad, one position description can cover many roles, this is known as Broad Based Role (BBR). Using BBR allows us to be responsive to our customers and to strengthen the connections across our organisation. It also gives us the flexibility to provide wider opportunities to our people, to further their careers.

If you have any questions about this role or working at Toitū Te Whenua, please email opportunities@linz.govt.nz  and our People Services Team will be in touch with you.