Director Water Metering Programme

• Direct the programme that shapes better management of water services
• Long-term programme with substantial exposure and organisational wide impacts
• Permanent position, based in Petone

The opportunity

Wellington Water are currently looking for a Senior Utility Leader, Infrastructure Director or Strategic Programme Director, Water Metering that has the proven ability to deliver a multi-faceted programme that will result in the delivery and implementation of an upgraded water network through metering technology of 180 thousand residential connections across the region.

As the Programme Director, Water Metering you will lead a central programme team and provide strategy and direction across the procurement of services, technology requirements, policy change and implementation of asset installation and construction delivery required for the programme's success.

You will take a holistic view across services by working closely with senior leaders, technical experts, board members and key stakeholders. You will take lessons learned from similar metering initiatives to ensure successful programme delivery.

This is a multi-year programme that has a variety of interesting challenges and opportunities, resourcing and governance requirements.

About you

This work programme is essential for Tiaki Wai to make long-term infrastructure and water strategy decisions, and requires understanding of economic outlooks of asset management and investment casing for a programme that changes the way water services are provided within the region.

You will have previously managed a large scale long-term civil project for a utility, central or local government entity, from budget and business case development to construction delivery, and have:

• Advanced stakeholder engagement skills, including a history of aligning detailed business cases for governance bodies to achieve desired funding
• Fostered relationships and worked collaboratively with Iwi to apply te ao Māori and holistic approaches to programmes that have day-to-day impacts on rate payers and the public
• Experience developing and implementing frameworks and programme models
• Previous experience establishing commercial models and procurement, and directing work programmes with multiple civil and non-civil workstreams
• An understanding of information, technology and data processes and how they relate to a water network
• Excellent financial and economic outlooks and management
• Leadership experience including managing enterprise change, developing team structure and culture
• Tertiary qualification in project, engineering, planning, economics or business administration, with relevant experience leading programmes with life-cycle values over $200 million

Benefits

At Wellington Water, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

For a full list of our employee benefits here.

About us

Wellington Water Ltd is the professional water services provider across Greater Wellington and South Wairarapa. Our job is to provide safe and healthy drinking water, collect and treat wastewater, and ensure the stormwater network is well managed.

We're a multi-council owned entity, tasked to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities. From Tuesday, 01 July 2026, a new chapter in water services begins. Tiaki Wai will take over responsibility for providing Three Waters Services to approximately 433,000 residents across the Wellington metro regions.

Tiaki Wai will own the water assets it operates giving it greater independence to manage and improve water services for current and future communities, Wellington Water employees will transition into this new council-owned entity.

The value of water (a precious taonga) sits at our organisational heart. Our people are passionate about providing water services for our communities and environment which is reflective in our values; Tangata Tiaki, Whānau and Mana.

Applications close Tuesday, 12 May 2026.

Position description

To view a copy of the position description, please click: Director Water Metering Programme, position description.

How to apply

To apply for the role, click on the 'apply' button or visit the Wellington Water Careers site, if you are a Wellington Water employee please apply using your work email.

For further information, email: Andrew.howard@wellingtonwater.co.nz

Applicants will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing for safety sensitive roles prior to commencing employment with Wellington Water.