Shared Services Delivery and Transition Lead

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 the Shared Services Delivery and Transition Lead, you’ll play a key role in ensuring IAWAI receives high‑quality shared services that align with the Relationship Agreement, supporting schedules, and the Shared Services and Partnership Implementation Plan. Reporting to the Executive Director Transformation & Business Services, you’ll lead the coordination, monitoring, and continuous improvement of shared service arrangements, making sure they meet agreed expectations and support IAWAI’s evolving operating model.

You’ll work closely with internal teams and shared service partners to optimise how services are delivered, strengthen performance, and ensure clear alignment between operational needs and service outcomes. Your ability to build strong relationships, solve problems, and provide clear oversight will be essential as IAWAI continues to grow and mature.

A key part of this role is leading the transition from shared services to internal delivery as IAWAI develops its own capability. You’ll help ensure continuity, manage risk, and maintain strong partnerships throughout the transition, supporting a smooth shift to new ways of working and setting IAWAI up for long‑term success.

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience 

• Minimum 10+ years’ experience in shared services, service delivery, business operations, or transformation roles, ideally in complex or public sector environments.
• Tertiary qualification in business, public administration, commerce, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience managing complex service arrangements, partnerships, or multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience in transition, transformation, or organisational change initiatives.
• Strong understanding of governance, performance monitoring, and risk management frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and integrate work across multiple functional areas.
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.
• Highly developed organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and complex programmes of work.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capability.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-awareness that mindset is the foundation of performance and ability to develop self and others in this regard.
• Ability to operate independently, anticipate organisational needs, and deliver outcomes in a dynamic environment.

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

Circa $130k 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.

Note: 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