Senior Portfolio Specialist

He angitūtanga: The opportunity
The Senior Portfolio Specialist provides portfolio governance support, analytical insights, and strategic support across eight value streams. The role ensures leadership has timely, accurate information for effective decision making, while maintaining the governance processes, audit ready documentation, and smooth portfolio operating rhythms.

Te hiranga o tēnei mahi: Why this role matters
It acts as the primary liaison between Portfolio Leadership and ART Leadership Teams, and is accountable for ensuring governance artefacts, business case approvals, and PMO processes are executed to a high standard.

Ngā kawenga matua: Key responsibilities

• Facilitate and coordinate 8 monthly Value Stream Governance forums, ensuring appointments, agendas, pre reads are delivered on time and meet governance quality expectations.
• Act as the primary interface between the Portfolio Leadership Team and the ART Leadership Teams, ensuring risks, dependencies, priorities, and decisions flow accurately and promptly across the portfolio.
• Serve as the single source of truth for governance artefacts, maintaining accurate, auditable records of decisions, actions, escalations, and commitments.
• Manage the PMO Kanban, lead weekly stand ups, and ensure blockers are escalated and flow through is visible and well managed.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, identifying process inefficiencies and recommending enhancements to governance and PMO systems.
• Drive and fast track Business Case approvals, coordinating across SMEs, finance partners, and Portfolio Leadership to move cases through workflow efficiently.

He kōrero mōu: About you
We’re looking for someone who:

• 7+ years of experience in portfolio management, PMO, or project/program coordination or similar governance roles.
• Advanced analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Strong understanding of portfolio governance and strategic alignment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to influence decisions within defined parameters.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement listed. What matters most is your ability to contribute to a collaborative, purpose-driven environment where diverse experiences are valued. Transferable skills from outside work are welcome.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer
At Auckland Council, you’ll join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on wellbeing, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick and a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.

As part of our organisation, please view a range of our benefits.

Tono Mai: Apply Now!
Application close date: Friday 27th March