Help shape the future of Education
We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.
Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
We are seeking a Delivery Manager who is an infrastructure professional, for our Safer Water for Schools Programme. This is a fixed term position for 18 months, and the role can be based in our Wellington, Auckland, or Christchurch office. You will be responsible for building trust and strong relationships with schools and key stakeholders. You’ll ensure project teams - including managers, designers, and contractors - deliver safe, compliant, and resilient drinking water solutions.
As a key member of the Ministry’s Safer Water for Schools Programme, you’ll support the rollout of projects aligned with the Water Services Act and Taumata Arowai regulations, improving access to safe drinking water in small and remote schools.
You’ll collaborate closely with Property Services teams to manage a high volume of complex water infrastructure projects across the motu, with a particular focus on schools in rural and isolated communities. You’ll bring your expertise in water infrastructure to guide project delivery, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure outcomes that meet both regulatory and community expectations.
Key skills:
- Applying your water infrastructure expertise to deliver safe, resilient, and compliant drinking water solutions, in line with the Water Services Act and Taumata Arowai regulations.
- Working strategically alongside the Programme Manager to improve delivery approaches, identify efficiencies, and enhance programme outcomes.
- Building trusted relationships with schools, consultants, contractors, and Ministry colleagues to ensure collaborative and customer-focused delivery.
- Coordinating project teams to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced and complex programme environment.
- Maintaining accurate project data and providing sound advice, ensuring alignment with Ministry policies and supporting informed decision-making.
Salary range: $119,171 - $144,560 per annum + 3% KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.
For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here.
About you | Mōhou ake
To be successful in this role, you will bring proven experience in delivering water services infrastructure projects, with a strong understanding of compliance requirements under the Water Services Act and Taumata Arowai regulations. You’ll be a confident communicator and relationship builder, able to work effectively with schools, contractors, and colleagues.
As part of a small, passionate, and flexible national team, you’ll be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, contributing to team priorities while managing your own workload. Your ability to take a strategic view and apply practical knowledge will be key to improving delivery outcomes across the programme.
You will also offer:
- Hands-on experience delivering water infrastructure projects, with a practical understanding of construction processes, preferably in a school or public sector setting.
- Working knowledge of the Water Services Act and Taumata Arowai regulations, and the ability to apply these in real-world project delivery to ensure compliance.
- Strong organisational and stakeholder engagement skills, enabling you to manage multiple priorities, communicate effectively, and contribute to a high-performing, collaborative team.
- The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
This role suits a water infrastructure professional who thrives in a dynamic environment. You’ll need to be comfortable with frequent travel, often to remote school locations, and confident engaging with a wide range of community members. Success in this role requires someone who can think on their feet, deliver exceptional customer service, and work effectively within a small, agile team.
If you’d like to bring your skills to a rewarding role within an organisation that’s continuously reaching goals and striving for a better future for New Zealand, we’d love to hear from you.
About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake
The School Property group manages one of the largest property portfolios in Aotearoa New Zealand, composed of over 2,100 primary and secondary state schools and over 8,000 hectares of land with a carrying value of $33.5 billion. Our team is responsible for the portfolio, including school engagement, asset management, capital works delivery, investment planning and portfolio management.
We have a responsibility to invest in property solutions that demonstrate value for money while still delivering the right outcome for our schools and kura. Demand for new or improved school property across the country is high, and the way we meet these needs is to do so more efficiently. We have set financial and timeliness targets for our programme, and we’re looking to improve our planning and delivery, as well as working proactively and collaboratively with schools and the construction sector. This will ensure that our property projects deliver value and are part of an affordable and deliverable programme of works.
The School Property group is led by a Functional Chief Executive for School Property, who reports directly to the Minister for Education. In July 2025 the Government announced it will establish a Crown agent to manage school property, to be called the New Zealand School Property Agency (NZSPA). Implementation of the NZSPA is expected in 2026, subject to the legislation being passed.
Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.
For further information, please contact Ismael Costa, Programme Manager, Water Services Investment Programme, Ismael.Costa@education.govt.nz.
Applications close Midnight – Sunday 8th March 2026.
We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.
