Manager - Transport and Roading

Shape the Future

• Lead an integrated, future-focused transport function
• Turn asset information into clear investment priorities
• Bring strategic leadership and shape the future
  

What’s the vision?

Invercargill’s transport network is fundamental to how the city connects, grows and thrives. Invercargill City Council is now looking for a strategic and commercially astute leader to bring greater cohesion, direction and long-term thinking to its Transport and Roading function.

This is not simply a technical roading role. Council has capable specialists who understand the engineering and operational detail. What it needs is a leader who can see the whole system – connecting transport strategy, asset management, network operations, public transport, road safety and parking services to deliver better outcomes for the city and its communities. Sound like you?

The opportunity | Move beyond the status quo

Reporting to the Group Manager, Consenting and Environment, you will lead a talented, multidisciplinary team and provide strategic oversight across Invercargill’s transport and roading portfolio. Your priority will be to create an integrated direction for the function – strengthening asset management, aligning investment with risk and service needs, and connecting long-term strategy with operational delivery.

You will:

• Develop a cohesive strategy across roading, public transport and parking services
• Strengthen asset management, lifecycle planning and investment decisions
• Balance cost, risk, growth, resilience and community expectations
• Turn complex evidence into clear priorities and compelling business cases
• Build productive relationships with funders, partners, contractors and developers
• Create accountability and provide trusted advice to senior leaders and elected members
  

This is an opportunity to move beyond maintaining the status quo. You will have the mandate to challenge established thinking, explore practical alternatives and build a more deliberate, evidence-led approach to managing Invercargill’s transport assets and services.

About you | Future thinking and leadership

Your key strength will be your ability to lead people, think strategically and manage complex infrastructure assets. You may come from transport, infrastructure, utilities, property, facilities or another asset-intensive environment. Exposure to roading or transport asset management would be valuable, but deep technical engineering expertise is not required.

You will bring:

• Proven leadership in a complex, multidisciplinary environment
• Strong strategic planning and asset management capability
• Commercial judgement and confidence working within funding constraints
• The ability to turn long-term plans into practical investment and delivery
• Strong influencing, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills
• An analytical mindset, fresh thinking and the courage to challenge assumptions
  

You will also hold a relevant tertiary qualification or bring an equivalent depth of professional experience. Visible, engaging and pragmatic, you will set clear expectations, build accountability people with you and remain focused on workable solutions within a politically and publicly accountable environment. Are you ready?

Why Invercargill?

Invercargill is a city with momentum – supported by significant investment, renewed confidence and the space to make a genuine difference. This role offers the professional challenge of shaping an essential citywide function, alongside the lifestyle advantages of Murihiku Southland: affordable living, easy commutes and some of New Zealand’s most remarkable landscapes within reach.

If you are an accomplished leader and strategic asset manager ready to shape a safer, more resilient and better-connected transport network, we would welcome your interest.

How to apply

For a copy of the position description and to apply, visit the Decipher Group website on https://deciphergroup.co.nz/job-opportunities/manager-transport-and-roading/

To discover more about Invercargill visit www.icc.govt.nz Learn more about Southland at https://southlandnz.com/live-work/our-story/  

For a confidential discussion about the role; contact Lisa Edwards on lisa@deciphergroup.co.nz or on mobile: 021 240 4410

Applications close: Friday 9^th October 2026