Head of Project Specialisation Office - Fixed Term

• Champion best practice in technical design, cost control, risk management and sustainability
• Build internal capability and provide expert advisory services for complex capital works
• Play a key role in delivering Māori responsiveness and sustainability outcomes

Lead the team supporting and delivering Auckland's significant capital projects programme in the Parks & Community space, driving excellence in build and community outcomes.

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council’s Parks and Community Facilities department delivers a capital programme in excess of $200 million annually. The programme consists of new build and renewal projects focused on delivering community outcomes across our parks, libraries, community centers, venues for hire, holiday parks, pools and leisure sites.

We have a fixed term opportunity for a Head of Project Specialisation to join the Project Specialisation Office team on a fixed term basis to cover a secondment until mid-December 2025. This is a senior leadership role on the Parks and Community Facilities Lead Team.

This is a critical leadership role that will oversee strategically significant projects, supports the delivery of the department’s capital works portfolio, builds internal capability, provides technical excellence support across complex capital works and manages an IANZ accredited asbestos laboratory. It also provides advice to the General Manager regarding risk within delivery and how the department is achieving its collective KPIs.

In this role you will: 

• Oversee project governance, performance tracking and strategic delivery
• Lead technical design, documentation and procurement standards
• Provide expert cost and risk advisory for major infrastructure projects
• Promote sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental leadership
• Support Māori responsiveness and capability development

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires experience in large-scale capital works programme delivery. You will have experience in similar leadership roles within complex or politically sensitive organisations. You will also have: 

• 15+ years in programme/project management and infrastructure delivery
• 10+ years’ leadership of technical teams and capital works budgets
• Technical expertise in design, construction, and procurement standards
• Demonstrated success in risk management and stakeholder partnerships
• Tertiary qualifications in construction, engineering or project management (e.g. PMP, Prince2)

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is one of the largest local authorities in the South Pacific. We are committed to environmental action and green growth and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city. 

You’ll be joining an organisation of dedicated and respected experts working collaboratively across the region to contribute to Auckland’s growth and development. We are committed to diversity, and have a culture built on trust and valuing individual as well as collective contributions.

If you are high performing, passionate about Auckland and the communities we serve and would like the chance to lead in making tangible and visible improvements in the work we do, we’d like to hear from you. Apply today (telling us why you are interested in and right for this opportunity) by cover letter along with your CV.

Please use this link to view a copy of the position description.

Applications close Sunday, 8th June 2025

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.

Employees in receipt of salary protection and/or on the predecessor Council terms and conditions of employment, please note that the salary protection and/or predecessor Council terms and conditions, including relocation, apply to your current position. Should you change to a new position (other than any secondment) you will be issued with a new employment letter of offer with current Auckland Council terms and conditions.