Senior Project Manager

Metlink is seeking a Senior Project Manager for up to five years to play a pivotal role in the next evolution of Wellington’s public transport landscape. This will be a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and the perfect opportunity for you to prove that you can thrive on a challenge!

About Metlink

Under the Metlink brand, Greater Wellington Regional Council supports the delivery of an interconnected public transport network via Transport Operators carrying over 140,000 Wellingtonians on bus, train, ferry and Total Mobility services every day.  Given the pivotal commercial aspects of Metlink’s work, a new Commercial Parerships team has been stood up.

With many of Greater Wellington's public transport service contracts coming up for renewal, a new team within Commercial Partnerships has been established to lead the review, redesign, development, and tendering of these contracts. A major rolling multi-year programme is being established across all modes and encompassing many high-value contracts.

Above and beyond traditional procurement, the priority for this team is securing cost-effective outcomes that will best serve the needs of the region in the years to come.

We’re looking for a highly skilled and experienced Senior Project Manager to join this team at this critical and exciting time. This is a new role based in our Cuba Street offices.

About the role

Your project leadership includes full project life cycle ownership, and successful project delivery covers full implementation from initiation to deployment for a number of high-value public transport service delivery contracts simultaneously. Working within the broader Transport Services Procurement (TSP) Team, you will be capable of both collaboratively approaching broad strategic goals and driving the programme forward. As the ideal candidate you will have prior experience managing highly complex commercial projects and be able to confidently juggle competing priorities amidst ambiguity.

Joining the team in a senior capacity, you will be confident in establishing and maintaining relationships with executive level stakeholders and will have a keen eye for detail, proactively identifying project risks and leading the team as these are addressed in collaboration with internal and external partners.

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Successful project delivery from initiation to deployment for at least three major high-value service delivery contracts simultaneously. 
• Set and continually manage project and programme expectations while delegating and managing deliverables with team members and stakeholders. 
• Ensure all risks and issues are identified, documented, communicated, and mitigated to ensure successful delivery of the project. 
• Monitor progress and coordinate accountability reporting against Project objectives (including financial if required), to satisfy GW requirements and those of external funders. 
• Developing and maintaining effective long-term, collaborative relationships with key partners and stakeholders. 

Skills and experience required

We need a motivated self-starter with excellent planning, problem solving and analytical skills who has a proven ability to handle multiple challenges and projects simultaneously.

You must enjoy working collaboratively and have experience balancing competing objectives and operating transparently in high-scrutiny contexts.  Thriving in complexity will be a must, as will staying calm under pressure.

In addition, you should have:

• An appropriate project management qualification or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience, and competency with project management software. 
• Extensive project management experience, preferably with at least three years’ experience managing complex projects in a commercial setting and with all stages of project lifecycle management. 
• Proven ability to see the ‘big picture’ and understand the strategic context of projects. 
• Knowledge of New Zealand local/central government procurement requirements and procedures is preferred. 
• Experience with control and reporting on allocated budgets and financial forecasts.
• Superb engagement and communication skills.  
• Computer literacy and advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 suite of products. 
• Knowledge of tikanga Māori and a working knowledge of local government and the transport sector.

What we offer

• Work to suit your life and whānau with our flexible working policy.
• We’ll encourage you to grow and prosper with a range of learning and development opportunities, internal secondments and career progression.
• Your wellbeing is our priority – we’ll provide medical and trauma insurance, support through our employee assistance programme or Manawa Ora providers, generous annual and sick leave, along with Tangihanga leave and support.
• We want you to have a sense of belonging, where you can reflect your personal and cultural identity in the way that you work.
• Social clubs, staff networks and a friendly and inclusive culture.
• Great working environment.

Come help treasure and grow our rohe together

Our rohe and its lands, waterways, animals, plants and people can only grow stronger if they are nurtured.

To join our team is to step up and commit to playing an active part in this important mahi. That means restoring nature, connecting people and places, reducing environmental impacts, and helping this rohe and its people prosper.

We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and support mana whenua as Kaitiaki. We’re also part of a collective movement alongside our community members whose hopes for the future of this region are just as high as your own.

Our efforts across environmental management, public transport, flood protection, regional parks and water supply are interconnected and integral to treasuring our rohe and growing our future.

How to apply

Greater Wellington is proud to be a member of Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion. We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive, flexible, and supportive workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and welcome the unique talent and experience you will bring to our team. 

We are passionate about ensuring our recruitment processes are fair and equitable. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs or adjustments that need to be made so we can offer a recruitment process that is more accessible to you.

Click on the Apply link to view the job description and to apply for the role with a cover letter and CV.

For further information, please contact Sue Blair on sue.blair@gw.govt.nz

All applicants will be required to provide proof of their eligibility to work in New Zealand.

Applications close: 5.00pm, Sunday 22 February 2026

The remuneration for this position, inclusive of all benefits, is $123,052 to $184,578, with a midpoint of $153,815. Starting remuneration will depend on the skills and experience of the successful applicant.

PLEASE NOTE - this is a fixed term position for up to five years.

 Agency applications won’t be considered at this time.