Te Whakapakari Tahi I Tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is seeking a high-performing Senior Project Manager to spearhead the delivery of the Wairoa Flood Mitigation Project – an essential initiative within the North Island Weather Events Programme. 

As the Senior Project Manager for the Wairoa Flood Mitigation Project, you'll take ownership of the entire project lifecycle—from initial concept to final commissioning—ensuring seamless execution and impactful results. You’ll collaborate closely with the Wairoa Crown Manager and key stakeholders, fostering alignment and transparency throughout the process. Leading technical teams and consultants, you’ll oversee the delivery of complex flood mitigation solutions, including large-scale infrastructure projects, major project delivery, and large-scale civil and earthworks, while maintaining rigorous project controls in risk management, cost tracking, and scheduling. Building strong relationships with iwi, community groups, and local authorities will be central to your approach, ensuring inclusive engagement and clear communication at every stage. Beyond driving the success of this critical infrastructure project, you’ll uphold the highest standards in health, safety, and environmental compliance while mentoring junior project staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. 

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

You'll be a strategic thinker and accomplished leader, excelling in solving complex challenges with practical solutions. With over a decade of experience in infrastructure delivery, including major projects, you'll bring expertise in project management, contract negotiation, and financial oversight, ensuring seamless execution. Your ability to build strong stakeholder relationships will position you as a trusted partner in project success. Holding a tertiary qualification in Civil Engineering, Geology, Environmental Studies, or a related field, you'll have a proven track record in civil engineering, earthworks, and infrastructure projects, with a solid understanding of NZS3910, environmental compliance, and iwi engagement. Your proficiency in risk assessment, project management frameworks, and regulatory compliance will ensure efficiency and excellence in project delivery. A valid driver’s license will enable you to remain hands-on in every phase—because impactful projects demand more than desk work.

This role requires a regular on-the-ground presence in Wairoa to effectively engage with project stakeholders and the local community. The successful candidate must be available to be based in Wairoa a minimum of 4 days and 3 nights per week. Travel and accommodation support can be discussed as part of the employment package. 

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

We recognise the value of experience and expertise, and we’re committed to ensuring your skills are acknowledged with a competitive salary package. We welcome open discussions with successful candidates to tailor remuneration that reflects your qualifications and contributions.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close Tuesday, 1 July 2025, however we will be shortlisting and interviewing appropriate candidates as applications are received. If you are interested in this position, please do not wait to apply as we may close the ad earlier than advertised.

To view the job description please visit our website.

Please apply through Seek. If you require any further information please email hr@hbrc.govt.nz.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management. 

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure.