Programme Manager – Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts

Passion, integrity, and a genuine desire to do our best for farmers is what drives us at Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).  We are 100% farmer-owned and funded and work on behalf of New Zealand’s sheep and beef producers. Our vision is for thriving sheep and beef farmers, now and into the future. Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s investments play a critical role in underpinning New Zealand’s second biggest export sector .

Facial eczema is a significant animal health and productivity challenge for New Zealand’s livestock sector. Beef + Lamb New Zealand is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead the successful delivery of the multi-million-dollar Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts Programme through to December 2030.

This is an important role at the centre of a complex, collaborative programme involving farmers, researchers, service providers, funders, governance groups and sector partners. You will create the structure, focus and momentum needed to turn ambitious research plans into practical outcomes for farmers and the wider sector.

What you’ll do

- Oversee the planning, coordination and delivery of a portfolio of facial eczema research projects.

- Work with programme leads to set clear plans, milestones, measures of success and accountabilities.

- Manage contracts, budgets, invoicing, reporting, risks and programme dependencies.

- Support the Independent Chair, Programme Governance Group and advisory groups with timely, high-quality advice and reporting.

- Build trusted relationships with funders, researchers, farmers, Māori agribusiness, sector partners and service providers.

- Bring together experts from different disciplines, surface and resolve disagreements, and drive timely, well-founded decisions.

- Identify issues early, communicate with a no-surprises approach and get projects back on track when needed.

- Translate technical information into clear, compelling communication for non-scientific audiences.

What you’ll bring

- At least five years’ experience managing complex projects, programmes and resources, ideally including multi-party funded work.

- A relevant degree in agricultural science or a related field, preferably postgraduate, or equivalent experience.

- A project management qualification or strong equivalent experience.

- Sound knowledge of New Zealand’s primary production sector and an affinity with the livestock sector, ideally animal health.

- Proven ability to lead through influence in a matrix or multi-stakeholder environment.

- Confidence engaging senior scientists, providers, funders and external stakeholders, including on sensitive or difficult issues.

- Strong commercial discipline across contracts, budgets, risk and reporting.

- Excellent written and verbal communication, sound judgement and consistent attention to detail.

About you

You are a credible, pragmatic programme leader who combines structure and delivery discipline with excellent relationship skills. You are comfortable challenging strong-minded experts, navigating competing interests and handling sensitive conversations with honesty and tact. You can work autonomously, stay composed under pressure and keep diverse teams aligned around shared outcomes without relying on formal authority.

This role can be based in any one of the Beef + Lamb New Zealand offices. You will be required to travel for programme meetings, events and stakeholder engagement. Funding for this position is available until 15 December 2030.

What we offer

This career move builds your expertise in a field that contributes to one of New Zealand’s most important export industries, and the New Zealand economy. We offer a competitive remuneration and excellent employee benefits including additional leave entitlements, a fully-subsidised life insurance policy, and a work culture that values and rewards passion, integrity, professionalism and strong workplace relationships based on respect and whanau.

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Only applicants who are eligible to work in New Zealand (permanent work rights with no restrictions) will be considered for this position.

Applications close 12noon, Thursday 19 November.