Manager Digital Initiatives at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

28 Apr, 26

Salary

191226.0

Posted On

28 Jan, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Digital Delivery, Portfolio Management, Governance, Strategic Alignment, Agile Methodologies, P3M Methodologies, Financial Forecasting, Stakeholder Management, Team Leadership, Continuous Improvement, Investment Decisions, Systems Thinking, Problem-Solving, Change Management, Risk Management, Te Ao Māori Appreciation

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Shape the future of digital delivery for New Zealand’s land transport system. Lead a high-performing team delivering a complex and multi-million dollar change and run portfolio. Work with delivery teams and senior leaders to supercharge digital delivery. Location: Wellington, Auckland, or Palmerston North. Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity This is a unique opportunity to lead digital transformation at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), guiding the delivery of innovative solutions that support our strategic goals and improve the experience for everyone using New Zealand’s land transport system. As Manager Digital Initiatives, you will: Oversee a large, complex portfolio — ensuring strong governance, strategic alignment, and meaningful performance insights. Lift portfolio maturity by simplifying and strengthening governance to enable faster and more confident delivery, focusing on areas of highest impact and risk. Ensure outstanding digital delivery disciplines and processes are in place to deliver strategic objectives – and supercharge digital delivery. Champion best practice in Agile and P3M methodologies, driving continuous improvement and integration across digital delivery teams – and making it easy to for people to do the right thing. Manage financial forecasting and portfolio reporting, ensuring clear insights that support sound investment decisions through effective governance and reporting. Build and develop a high-performing team, fostering capability and collaboration to meet evolving business and stakeholder needs. Maintain strong relationships with delivery teams and senior leaders. Find out more about the role in the Position Description Appointment base salary is between $156,458 - $191,226 per annum commensurate to skills and experience. Along with our other benefits, we offer 5 weeks annual leave, and a Life, Income Protection and Critical-illness Insurance scheme available for all permanent employees Ko koe tēnei | About you We’re looking for someone who brings: Extensive experience leading complex programmes or projects at scale, ideally at Programme Manager or Delivery Lead level. Proven success managing multi‑million‑dollar portfolios — including business planning, budgeting, forecasting and providing meaningful insights to guide investment decisions. Experience strengthening governance and delivery across a portfolio, including within iterative and hybrid delivery models. A track record of portfolio thought leadership, maturing delivery practices over time focusing attention where it matters most. Strong ability to influence senior leaders, simplifying complex information into clear narratives that highlight the “so what”, and enabling confident decision‑making. Excellent strategic, lateral problem-solving and systems thinking skills, with the ability to dig into complex problems and bring people together to find solutions. Outstanding stakeholder management skills, with the ability to hustle, balance competing priorities, and have the hard conversations needed to deliver results. A leadership style grounded in empathy, clarity and performance — someone who brings people on the journey while lifting capability and delivery excellence. Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or industry certifications (e.g., PMP, Prince2, MSP, MoP, Agile). A commitment to Te Ao Māori, tikanga, Te Reo Māori, and an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the public sector. Mō mātou | About Us Te Aukaha Digital strengthens NZTA by supporting our people and delivering future-focused solutions. We enable digital change and provide quality data, information, and security services. Our Digital Performance team provides operational and strategic leadership, ensuring stakeholders are seamlessly connected. Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return At NZTA, you’ll join a team passionate about making a difference for Aotearoa. We offer: A competitive salary and benefits package. Flexible working arrangements, including remote/hybrid options (role dependent). 5 weeks annual leave and Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for permanent employees. A genuinely inclusive environment that honours all cultures and identities. Discover more benefits. Ready to take the next step in your career? We’d love to hear from you. Apply today and join our team who is going places. Rā Katinga | Applications close: 10 February 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. Ko wai mātou | About us At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.

Responsibilities

The Manager Digital Initiatives will oversee a large, complex portfolio, ensuring strong governance and strategic alignment while lifting portfolio maturity through simplified and strengthened governance. This role involves ensuring outstanding digital delivery disciplines are in place to meet strategic objectives and championing best practices across delivery teams.