Head of Capital Planning and Delivery

Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils have formed a publicly owned, Council-controlled Organisation (CCO) to deliver water services across Hamilton city and Waikato district. The company is called IAWAI - Flowing Waters and will take over the provision of water services from 1 July 2026. This transition will occur in stages such as the current Watercare contract for Waikato District Council transferring to the CCO on 1 July 2026.  

He angituutanga: The opportunity 

As a senior leader at IAWAI, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our capital work programme. You’ll ensure our capital pipeline is well‑planned, prioritised, and delivered in line with long‑term strategic goals, helping us invest wisely and deliver essential water services for our communities.

You’ll provide strategic oversight of our Capital Delivery and Project Management Office (PMO) functions, as well as a network of external contractors and delivery partners. Your leadership will ensure our infrastructure investment is strategically aligned, well‑governed, and delivered in a way that optimises value, performance, and risk outcomes across the organisation.

This role is central to driving organisational strategy and performance. You’ll guide a significant capital portfolio, ensuring IAWAI consistently meets regulatory, community, and stakeholder expectations while delivering high‑quality drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience 

• Tertiary qualified (bachelor’s degree or above), preferably in Engineering, Project Management or related discipline.
• 10 years plus senior-level experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity or people management.
• Proven experience managing large-scale capital programmes and external delivery partners.
• Strong understanding of project management frameworks and PMO best practice.
• Demonstrated financial and commercial acumen, including contract management.
• Demonstrated experience building strategic, trusted relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of and understanding of tikanga Maaori and working with iwi/hapū, at all levels, to give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ture Whaimanan o Te Awa Waikato, ensuring empathy and willingness to understand local iwi/hapū protocols, politics and context.
• Strategic thinker with strong judgment, discretion, and professionalism, particularly when working with sensitive or confidential information.
• High emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal awareness, and exceptional communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Agility and resilience in navigating complex, dynamic, ambiguous and often politically influenced environments.
• Proven leadership capability with the ability to inspire, influence, and articulate vision and values.
• Financial management, quality improvement, and project delivery experience.
• Outstanding prioritisation and workload management capabilities.
• Experience working within a CCO, local authority, or similar public organisation with waters infrastructure is preferred.
• Understanding of public sector governance and decision-making -processes is preferred.

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary? 

Circa $200k dependent on skills and experience.

Me Tono Inaaianei!: Apply Now! 

• View the position description.
• Click apply
• ​Complete your application.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the: 20th April 2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

Start date for this position will be on or after 1 July 2026.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking hereIt is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met