Maintenance and Operations Lead Northland Corridor

• Northland Corridor Section 1 (Warkworth to Te Hana)
• Auckland-based
• Extensive site presence

Be part of one of the most significant transport programmes in New Zealands history.

The Northland Corridor is a 100 km stretch of highway connecting Auckland to Northland. Made up of three Roads of National Significance (RoNS) it will support economic growth and productivity reduce congestion improve safety support housing development and provide a more resilient roading network.

Were looking for a Maintenance and Operations Lead to play a critical client-side role in ensuring Section 1 of the Northland Corridor (Warkworth to Te Hana) is operationally ready safe and maintainable from day one.

This role offers the chance to work alongside a highly experienced client-side team offering rare exposure to and learning from some of New Zealands most experienced transport practitioners shaping how major transport projects are delivered in Aotearoa.

Te Whiwhinga mahi The opportunity

Reporting to the Technical Director youll be the M&O authority within the project representing NZTA Waka Kotahi (NZTA)as client in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) environment.

Your focus is simple but not easy: youll play a key role in reviewing designs from an operations and maintenance perspective helping provide confidence that what is designed and built can be safely efficiently and sustainably operated over the long term.

Youll work alongside designers delivery teams contractors and national NZTA functions to champion embed maintenance operations and asset management requirements throughout design and delivery not as an afterthought but as a core outcome.

This is a hands-on high-impact role with a strong on-site presence (4-5 days per week) suited to someone who enjoys influencing outcomes at the intersection of design construction and operations.

What youll be doing

You will:

• Lead the NZTA review and assurance of all Maintenance & Operations documentation ensuring contractual obligations are met and future operations are set up for success
• Establish and implement client-side M&O processes and frameworks during design and early delivery
• Provide expert operational input into NZTAs design review process covering maintainability access inspection safety incident response and lifecycle performance
• Identify escalate and help resolve design and delivery risks that could impact operational readiness
• Work closely with NZTAs national maintenance operations digital safety and systems teams to ensure alignment with standards and networks
• Maintain strong interfaces with the adjacent network including the Pūhoi to Warkworth PPP to ensure consistency and smooth operational transitions
• Contribute to opening-day readiness planning including handover response integration and operational assurance.

While this role does not have people leadership responsibilities it carries significant influence requiring confidence credibility and the ability to challenge constructively.

Find out more about the role here: position description

Ko koe tēnei About you

What youll bring

Youre a seasoned M&O or asset professional who understands what it takes to operate complex transport infrastructure in the real world.

Youll likely have:

• Proven experience embedding maintenance and operational requirements into design and construction on large transport or infrastructure projects
• A strong grounding in asset management lifecycle planning and operational risk
• Experience working in or alongside PPP or alliance delivery environments (highly desirable)
• The ability to interpret complex technical and contractual information and turn it into clear practical advice
• Confidence engaging with contractors technical specialists emergency services iwi partners and senior leaders
• A pragmatic solutions-focused mindset and the courage to raise risks early.

Why join us

At NZTA our purpose is transport networks that deliver for people places and Aotearoa. Were kaitiaki of the transport system - working with partners for communities and for future generations.

Youll be part of a programme that:

• Is nationally significant and highly visible
• Offers real influence over outcomes that will last decades
• Values collaboration courage and doing the right thing
• Is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and meaningful partnerships with Māori.

If youre motivated by legacy-building work thrive in complex environments and want to ensure infrastructure performs as well in operation as it does on paper; wed love to hear from you.

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to apply:

Please click Apply for this Job to upload your CV and cover letter.

Rā Katinga Applications close:

For further information email:

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.