Project Director

Lead the delivery of some of New Zealand’s most significant and complex transport infrastructure investments.

- Senior infrastructure delivery leadership role

- Lead large-scale, high-risk and complex projects from strategy through to delivery

- Auckland Location

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

As Project Director, you will provide senior leadership and take end-to-end accountability for the successful delivery of some of NZTA’s largest, highest-risk and most complex infrastructure investments.

This is a significant delivery leadership role, bringing together multiple projects, workstreams, disciplines and delivery partners to achieve agreed investment outcomes. You will provide clear direction across planning, procurement, consenting, commercial management, project controls, risk, communications and stakeholder engagement.

Working closely with project sponsors, governance groups, local authorities, iwi and hapū, communities, suppliers and industry partners, you will ensure projects are well governed, risks are actively managed and delivery remains focused on safety, cost, quality, time, benefits and value for money.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams and delivery partners, establishing clear expectations and maintaining a strong focus on performance and delivery certainty. You will also provide timely and robust advice to senior governance groups, identifying emerging issues early and providing clear recommendations to support effective decision making.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

You will be an experienced senior infrastructure leader with a strong track record of successfully delivering large, high-risk and/or complex infrastructure projects or programmes.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

- Extensive senior leadership experience delivering complex, large-scale infrastructure projects or programmes

- Strong commercial acumen and sound judgement, with experience balancing delivery outcomes, cost, risk and stakeholder interests

- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams, contractors and delivery partners over extended project lifecycles

- Strong capability across project strategy, governance, controls, risk management, procurement, consenting and benefits realisation

- The ability to identify and resolve complex delivery issues and provide clear, evidence-based recommendations

- Experience building trusted and collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders, governance groups, local authorities, iwi and hapū, communities, suppliers and industry

- Excellent communication, influencing and relationship management skills

- A strong focus on safety, delivery discipline, accountability and value for money

- A bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business, or equivalent experience

- Experience delivering transport infrastructure within a complex public-sector or comparable environment would be advantageous.

Mō mātou |About Us

Infrastructure Development & Delivery develops and delivers NZTA’s national land transport capital programme, ensuring investments are well defined, de-risked and deliver their intended benefits.

Through strong project leadership, commercial discipline and sector partnerships, we are focused on improving delivery certainty, achieving value for money and delivering enduring transport outcomes for New Zealand.

If you are an experienced infrastructure leader who thrives on complexity, is comfortable making difficult decisions and wants to lead projects that will have a lasting impact for New Zealand, we would like to hear from you.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:
Please click ‘Apply for this Job’ to upload your CV and cover letter.

You can find out more about the role here: Position Description
Rā Katinga | Applications close:
19 November 2026
For further information, email: careers@nzta.govt.nz

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.