Head of Infrastructure Project Investment and Planning

• Key leadership role in Auckland’s Transport Sector
• Lead a major multi-year capital investment programme
• Lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland’s transport infrastructure programme is entering an important period of investment and change, with the opportunity to shape how significant capital is prioritised and deployed across the region. As Head of Infrastructure Project Investment and Planning, you'll play a central role in determining where and how Auckland invests in its transport infrastructure to support growth, resilience, safety, climate and mode shift outcomes.

As a member of the Transport Infrastructure lead team, you'll lead the strategic development, prioritisation and optimisation of a multi-year programme, from renewals and minor works through to major, complex investments. You'll provide the strategic line of sight from council priorities and funding settings through to investment decisions and delivery, ensuring the programme is affordable, evidence-based, appropriately sequenced and deliverable.

You'll lead programme-level prioritisation, trade-off decisions and scenario modelling, shape long-term investment and affordability pathways, and oversee the governance, assurance and planning frameworks that support confident investment decisions. You'll also lead programme-level procurement and market strategy, ensuring delivery approaches reflect market capacity and programme demand, while aligning co-funding strategies, funding pipelines and assurance requirements.

This is a role for someone who can operate comfortably at the intersection of strategy, investment, commercial thinking and delivery, providing clear advice on complex choices and helping shape the future of Auckland’s transport infrastructure.

He kōrero mōu: About you

You’ll be an experienced senior leader with a strong background in transport, infrastructure or major capital investment environments. You’ll bring significant experience in capital programme planning, prioritisation and optimisation across large, multi-year portfolios, along with a strong understanding of the New Zealand transport sector, funding frameworks and the infrastructure investment system.

You’ll be a confident and credible leader who can influence at executive and governance levels to deliver outcomes, lead multidisciplinary teams and build strong relationships across council, government, funders, delivery partners and the market. Commercially astute and strategically minded, you’ll be comfortable navigating competing priorities, assessing complex investment choices and providing clear, evidence-based advice that connects long-term outcomes with affordability and practical delivery.  You’ll also be a key part of bringing everyone together when decisions are made to ensure there is united support for delivery once investment decisions are made.

You’ll bring sound judgement, a collaborative ‘one team’ approach and the ability to operate effectively in a complex and highly visible environment, helping shape investment decisions that deliver the greatest value for Auckland.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of Auckland through the investment decisions that will shape its transport infrastructure for decades to come. You’ll operate at the heart of a significant capital programme, working with senior leaders and key partners to turn strategy, funding and investment priorities into outcomes that matter for Aucklanders.

You can view a copy of the position description HERE

Applications close Thursday, 1st October 2026 

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.