Programme Director - Treatment Plants

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 

We’re looking for a Programme Director - Treatment Plants to lead the strategic direction and performance of our treatment plant capital investment portfolio (excluding the Pukete Treatment Plant Programme). Reporting to the Head of Capital Planning & Delivery, you’ll guide how we prioritise and deliver investment across a complex, high‑risk programme of work.

You’ll oversee a wide range of treatment plant projects, making sure investment is sequenced well and delivered in a way that supports compliance, capacity, resilience, operational performance, and long‑term service outcomes. Strong commercial judgement, clear governance, and disciplined investment planning will be key to your success.

This role also plays a big part in coordinating risks, dependencies, and interfaces across the wider capital programme. You’ll work closely with other Programme Directors and delivery teams to ensure integrated planning and aligned outcomes. If you’re experienced in leading major capital portfolios and want to make a meaningful impact, we’d like to hear from you.

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience 

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering, Project Management, Infrastructure Management, Commerce or a related discipline; postgraduate qualifications advantageous.
• Extensive experience (15+ years) in infrastructure planning and delivery, including at least 5 years in senior leadership roles accountable for major capital programmes, delivery performance, and people leadership.
• Proven track record leading large-scale, complex, high-value capital programmes in infrastructure or utility environments, including oversight of consultants, contractors, and delivery partners.
• Significant experience delivering water infrastructure programmes, ideally within treatment, process, or asset-intensive plant environments with high compliance, operational continuity, and commissioning complexity.
• Strong understanding of programme governance, delivery assurance, controls, and investment principles, including development and stewardship of robust business cases and decision-making frameworks.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial acumen, including procurement strategy, contract management, budgeting, forecasting, and commercial risk management, with the ability to shape delivery approaches to optimise value for money.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including executive leaders, regulators, iwi/hapū, industry partners, and delivery partners.
• Strategic thinker with strong judgement, clear communication skills, and the ability to operate effectively in complex, high-stakes, and politically sensitive environments.
• Proven leadership capability, with experience setting direction, building high-performing teams, and fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated cultural capability, including understanding of tikanga Māori and experience applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in infrastructure delivery contexts.
• Experience in a CCO, local authority, or similar public sector infrastructure environment preferred.
• Understanding of New Zealand water reform settings, including regulatory and governance frameworks, preferred.

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

Circa $155k 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: 11th May 2026

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

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