Manager, Workforce Capabilities at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 Jun, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

17 Mar, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Workforce Capability Leadership, Governance Setting, Investment Prioritization, System Level Transformation, Stakeholder Management, Evidence-Based Decision Making, Capability Framework Design, Scaling Solutions, Analytical Skills, Negotiation, Change Management, Te Ao Māori Understanding, Organisational Development, Talent Management, Strategic Planning, Risk Management

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Shape workforce capability priorities and investment across NZTA Lead enterprise direction and governance to drive capability impact Guide senior decisions, balance organisational priorities, and enable system level transformation Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity As Manager Workforce Capability, you will lead how NZTA | Waka Kotahi plans, prioritises and invests in workforce capability. You’ll set clear direction and governance, turning our workforce strategy into a focused set of capability priorities that deliver measurable results. You'll work with senior leaders, HR, Learning & OD partners, and major programmes to shape decisions and test what is being asked for. You’ll make sure capability investment is joined up, evidence-based, and focused on enterprise value. A key part of the job is to move us to a coherent, organisation-wide approach that can scale and last. This role will define and prioritise NZTA’s core and common workforce capabilities, including technical and specialist domains, while clarifying enterprise and local ownership. This role suits a senior leader who is comfortable with complexity - someone who can guide decisions, manage competing demands, and build strong alignment across the organisation. Key responsibilities Set organisation-wide priorities and investment for workforce capability. Put governance and standards in place to focus effort and reduce duplication. Lead centrally aligned capability specialists to deliver solutions that can be reused and scaled. Work with senior leaders to shape, challenge and align capability approaches. Put measures in place to track what’s working and guide future decisions. Provide integration and assurance across major programmes and any agreed exceptions. The Position Description can be viewed here. Ko koe tēnei | About you What You’ll Bring to the Role: Experience leading and governing workforce capability, learning, or organisational development at an organisation-wide level. Experience working in complex organisations where you need to prioritise, set governance, and coordinate work across teams. Strong ability to influence senior leaders, shape priorities, and negotiate trade-offs. Strong analytical skills - able to turn complex workforce information into clear, evidence-based recommendations and decisions. Good understanding of capability development beyond training - such as learning on the job, capability frameworks, and organisation-wide design. Experience designing or running frameworks, standards, or governance that align work across multiple teams. You will also demonstrate, or be willing to develop, an understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as they apply in the public sector. Mō mātou |About Us The Learning and Organisational Development group drives cultural change and capability uplift across Waka Kotahi through the design, development and delivery of key Organisational Development (OD) and Learning & Development (L&D) strategies, programmes, frameworks and initiatives. We work collaboratively with other Pūmanawa Tāngata teams and the business to deliver on the People Strategy and enable NZTA | Waka Kotahi to perform today and as a future-ready organisation. We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including 5 weeks annual leave so, if you’re ready to bring your expertise, courage, and collaborative spirit to a role that truly matters—apply now and help us move New Zealand forward. Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply: Please click apply to upload your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for the role. Rā Katinga | Applications close: 30 March 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, Workforce Capabilities will lead the planning, prioritization, and investment in workforce capability across the organization, setting clear direction and governance to translate the workforce strategy into measurable priorities. This role involves working with senior leaders and partners to shape decisions, ensuring capability investment is evidence-based, integrated, and focused on enterprise value.