Scheme Manager - Hauraki and Coromandel

Lead flood protection programmes across Hauraki & Coromandel, guiding people, assets and emergency readiness in a high-impact regional role.

•   Drive delivery of major flood protection programmes across the region.
•   Senior people leadership in complex, high‑pressure environments
•   Work at the intersection of delivery, emergency response and Treaty partnership

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As Scheme Manager – Hauraki & Coromandel, you will be accountable for the planning, delivery and emergency readiness of major flood protection schemes across the Waihou Valley, Piako River and Coromandel zones, work that directly protects communities, infrastructure and livelihoods across the region.

You will lead a large, geographically dispersed workforce and oversee $15–20 million in annual operational and capital programmes, operating in a complex and highly scrutinised environment where sound judgement, calm leadership and strong partnership capability are essential. This role sits at the intersection of infrastructure delivery, emergency management and Treaty partnership, requiring the ability to lead people and make decisions under pressure.

While the role is based in Hauraki / Waikato, we welcome applications from suitably experienced candidates across Aotearoa New Zealand who are willing to travel or relocate for the right opportunity. This is not a purely technical role, it is a system‑level leadership position where people leadership, strategic thinking and decision‑making in high‑impact situations are central to success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, guide, mentor and develop a workforce of 27 staff and contractors across multiple locations
• Own long-term and annual planning for complex flood protection work programmes
• Be accountable for operational, capital, financial, safety and reputational outcomes
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership, councillors and governance groups
• Lead delivery in complex regulatory, political and community contexts
• Build and sustain Treaty based partnerships with iwi, enabling shared outcomes
• Maintain operational readiness and lead response capability during flood and emergency events, including out of hours leadership when required
• Champion health & safety, contract performance, risk management and continuous improvemen

This is not a purely technical role, it is a system level leadership position where people leadership, judgement and decision making under pressure are central.

Mō te tangata | About you

• You are a credible, composed and experienced senior leader who is comfortable operating in complex, high-consequence environments.
• You bring the judgement and depth needed to lead large operational systems where decisions are visible, contested and matter to communities.
• You have led through situations where outcomes must be delivered under pressure, decisions have public-facing consequences, and multiple stakeholder interests, including iwi, communities, contractors and governance, must be carefully balanced.
• You are able to remain calm, decisive and people-focused while navigating complexity, scrutiny and uncertainty.
• Your background may be in infrastructure, environmental management, utilities, transport, emergency management, defence, local government or another asset-intensive system, but what matters most is your ability to lead people, manage risk and deliver results at scale.
• You bring strong systems thinking, sound judgement and the confidence to lead others through challenging operational and emergency contexts.

Mō ngā pūkenga | Qualifications Required

We are open to a range of professional pathways for this senior leadership role. You will have a relevant tertiary qualification, or an equivalent level of learning gained through significant experience, in one or more of the following areas:

• Civil or environmental engineering.River, catchment or flood management.
• Natural resource or environmental management.
• Infrastructure, asset or programme management.
• A closely related field aligned to large‑scale operational delivery.
• Minimum 8-10 years relevant experience in contract management, local government processes and leadership management.
• Full NZ driver’s licence and ability to travel/stay overnight as needed.

Skills, Competencies and Experience we are looking for in this position:

1. Strategic & System Leadership

Capabilities required

• Translating organisational strategy into integrated, long-term work programmes
• Balancing competing environmental, engineering, financial and community outcomes
• Anticipating risk and system pressure points before they escalate

2. Programme & Financial Management

Capabilities required

• Oversight of large, multi-year operational and capital budgets
• Strong financial literacy, forecasting and cost control
• Delivery within agreed governance and accountability frameworks

3. People Leadership & Capability Development

Capabilities required

• Leading large, geographically dispersed teams
• Building a safe, inclusive, accountable performance culture
• Managing performance, succession and workforce capability
• Ability to inspire trust and clarity in complex environments

4. Emergency & Incident Leadership

Capabilities required

• Maintaining operational readiness for high-impact events
• Calm leadership during emergencies, incidents or crisis situations
• Willingness to lead outside standard working hours when required

5. Stakeholder, Governance & Political Acumen

Capabilities required

• Working constructively with elected members, boards and communities
• Navigating politically sensitive issues under public scrutiny
• Balancing technical advice with broader social and economic impacts

6. Treaty Partnership & Cultural Competence

Capabilities required

• Applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations in planning and delivery
• Working in partnership with iwi and recognising tangata whenua aspirations
• Leading teams to deliver culturally capable practice

7. Contract, Risk & H&S Leadership

Capabilities required

• End-to-end contract lifecycle management
• Strong risk identification, mitigation, management and assurance
• Visible leadership in health and safety, particularly in field-based environments

We recognise that at this level, depth of leadership experience, judgement and systems thinking are as critical as formal qualifications. Candidates who demonstrate equivalent learning through extensive senior‑level experience in complex operational environments are encouraged to apply.

Mō te tīma | About the team

You’ll be part of the Integrated Catchment Management directorate, known for its strong values, deep expertise and collaborative leadership culture. The Hauraki and Coromandel Schemes team works across Paeroa, Kerepehi, Te Aroha and Hamilton, bringing together operational, technical and leadership capability to protect communities and the environment.

The team is geographically spread but strongly connected by purpose, particularly during flood events and high-pressure delivery periods. You’ll work alongside a trusted and supportive leadership group, shaping long-term outcomes at the intersection of infrastructure delivery, emergency management and Treaty partnership, in a role where strong relationships, sound judgement and practical leadership are highly valued.

Mō mātou | About us

At Waikato Regional Council, we work together to care for the mighty Waikato so current and future generations can enjoy a healthy environment, a strong economy and vibrant communities.

Our mahi is as diverse as the region and the people who call it home, spanning the stewardship of water, land, air, geothermal resources and coastlines across the rohe.

Customers and communities sit at the heart of everything we do, and everyone in our organisation plays an important role in delivering thoughtful, professional and responsive service that supports long-term environmental and community outcomes.

If you are keen to understand more about what we do please click here The work we do | Waikato Regional Council.

• By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better.
• Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Mō te tuku tono | How to apply

• Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on 1 March 2026.
• If you have any questions about the role, please contact ICM Director - Greg Ryan at greg.ryan@waikatoregion.govt.nz
• Please click ‘apply’ and include your CV & cover letter as a pdf. Apply now!