Portfolio Lead

As Portfolio Lead, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering Napier City Council’s capital works programme, overseeing a portfolio of water, wastewater, and stormwater projects valued between $30–100 million annually. You’ll be responsible for end-to-end project and programme delivery, working closely with internal technical teams, contractors, and consultants to define project scope, evaluate delivery options, and ensure projects meet quality, safety, and performance standards.

This is a role for a highly organised and proactive professional who thrives on managing complex infrastructure projects in a fast-paced environment. You’ll influence investment decisions, drive strategic outcomes, and coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders, including community groups, iwi, and regulatory authorities, to ensure projects deliver tangible benefits to the city and its residents.

If you’re a collaborative, solutions-focused leader with experience managing high-value capital programmes, this is an opportunity to make a real impact on Napier’s critical water infrastructure while shaping the future of the city’s water networks.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

You’ll take ownership of a defined portfolio, coordinating projects from early planning and scoping through to procurement, delivery and completion. Working within established consultant and contractor panels, you’ll provide strong client-side oversight and keep delivery moving across competing priorities.

In this role, you will:

• Develop project scopes and assess delivery options to support informed decisions.
• Manage budgets, programmes, resources, risks and project performance.
• Procure and manage consultants and contractors through established panel arrangements.
• Monitor contractual commitments, compliance, quality and delivery standards.
• Coordinate project communication and engagement with iwi, communities and stakeholders.
• Provide clear reporting on progress, financial performance, risks and emerging issues.

He kōrero mōhou - About You

You’re an experienced capital delivery professional who can bring structure, sound judgement and momentum to a complex programme of work. You’re comfortable balancing multiple priorities and building productive relationships across technical teams, contractors, consultants and stakeholders.

You will bring:

• A relevant qualification in engineering, project management or a related discipline.
• At least seven years’ experience in capital programme or portfolio delivery within infrastructure or local government.
• Proven experience managing complex projects through external delivery models.
• Strong knowledge of tendering, contract administration and consultant or contractor management.
• Confidence managing programme budgets, financial reporting, timelines and delivery risks.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to deliver results in a fast-moving environment.

Experience with collaborative delivery models, infrastructure funding, business cases or long-term planning frameworks would be an advantage.

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

• 5 weeks' annual leave after 2 years service
• Discounted health insurance work scheme + Eye test subsidy
• Retailer discounts + study assistance + Birthday vouchers
• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)
• Quarterly values awards + Social club
• Free flu vaccinations (annual)
• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka
• Te Reo Māori language classes
• Flexible work arrangements

This is a permanent, full time position working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You will be based in Napier.

The annual salary package for this role is between $115,239 - $128,796 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person

Kia mōhio mai - Please note

Napier City Council is moving toward a joint regional water entity under the Local Water Done Well reform. This means future changes to how water services are governed and delivered are likely, including potential shifts in organisational structure, reporting lines, and regional collaboration. Applicants should be comfortable working in a dynamic environment and open to evolving responsibilities as part of a larger, regional approach to water management.

He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.

Please visit Napier City Council Careers website to see full job description

Job Description – Portfolio Lead