Cost Controller – HVDC Upgrade at Transpower New Zealand Limited, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Nationally significant, multiyear critical infrastructure programme 

• Deliver cost control & forecasting expertise to a high-value capital portfolio 

• Enable decision-ready reporting that supports effective governance  

Transpower’s purpose is to empower the energy future for New Zealand – a future that delivers a net-zero carbon economy and a reliable, secure electricity system. 

Essential to powering our country, the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link connects the transmission grid between the North and South Islands and plays an increasingly important role in balancing intermittent renewable generation across both islands. 

The HVDC Upgrade Programme aims to replace the three existing HVDC cables with like-for-like cables by 2032 and, at the same time, install a fourth cable of the same type. In addition to replacing the cables, there are a further six projects making up the overall programme of works, supported by a dedicated project team. The key objectives are to provide value to electricity users and ensure works are: 

• fit-for-purpose particularly with respect to coordinating with technology to provide 40 years of reliable service 

• commissioned with minimal impact on the electricity market 

The Opportunity 

As Cost Controller – HVDC Upgrade, you’ll provide disciplined cost management and reporting across our complex, multiyear capital programme. You’ll ensure programme cost information is structured, accurate, timely, and decision-ready—supporting effective governance, forecasting, and financial control across a circa $1.5bn portfolio of projects. 

You’ll enjoy work that is both detailed, varied and highly visible, where your clarity and commercial rigor help the Programme leadership team make confident decisions! You will: 

• Set up and maintain robust cost structures (WBS, cost coding and baselines) to enable consistent programme reporting 

• Deliver clear, decision-ready cost reporting across actuals, commitments, forecast and variance for governance and delivery teams 

• Manage the commitments position and support month-end processes with Finance, including accruals, reconciliations and explaining key movements 

• Maintain consolidated forecasts informed by progress, approved change, and commercial information, including scenario modelling and assumptions 

• Track contingency, risk allowances, and Interest During Construction (IDC), highlighting emerging trends, drivers and sensitivities 

• Partner with project, planning, commercial and procurement colleagues to strengthen cost discipline and continuous improvement 

What you’ll bring 

Outstanding communication and influencing skills to build trusted relationships across Finance, Commercial, Procurement, Planning, and Project teams.  

Your CV and cover letter will demonstrate: 

• Proven experience in cost control, cost reporting, and forecasting on complex capital programmes or major projects (ideally infrastructure, construction, or engineering environments) 

• Strong understanding of cost baselining, change control, commitments management, and month-end processes (including accruals and reconciliations) 

• Confidence working with work breakdown structures (WBS) and cost coding to create clean, comparable views across multiple workstreams 

• Highly developed Excel skills, and comfort presenting cost information in clear, decision-ready formats (exposure to Power BI or similar reporting tools is beneficial) 

• A disciplined approach to data quality, with strong attention to detail and a pragmatic mindset for continuous improvement 

Why you should join us 

With over 28 nationalities, our people provide diverse perspectives, knowledge, and deep and varied experience which they love to share and which we celebrate. 

We work in the office or on-site for a minimum of three days each week, which helps us build and maintain relationships, support learning, deliver outcomes, and sustain our culture. This approach also offers staff flexibility for both work and personal commitments, with adaptable daily start and finish times. 

We prioritise wellbeing with a range of employee health, wellness, and insurance benefits (see our staff benefits page on the Transpower careers website). 

Next steps 

To join a delivery-focused programme team, working on a once a lifetime infrastructure upgrade, please apply without delay. 

Existing eligibility to work in New Zealand is essential. 

Role closes: Monday 18 May. Applications will be reviewed, and informal screening conversations may commence prior to the close date.