Team Lead Transportation Asset Management

Come and make a difference with us

At Western Bay of Plenty District Council, everything we do is about making the everyday better — and helping our communities thrive, now and into the future.

Western Bay is a District undergoing significant growth and transformation. From planning for future communities to delivering the infrastructure that supports them, we’re focused on getting the fundamentals right — and preparing for what comes next.

We’re also focused on our people. At Western Bay, we believe in investing in and empowering our teams to grow, lead, and achieve their goals. Because when our people thrive, our communities do too.

If you're motivated by making the everyday better, helping people thrive, and leaving things better than you found them — we’d love to hear from you.

About the opportunity

We're looking for an exceptional strategic leader and critical thinker to shape the future of Council's transport network. In this influential role, you'll lead the development and delivery of the Transportation Activity Management Plan, driving long-term investment decisions that enhance the performance, resilience, and sustainability of our roading network.

As a senior technical leader, you'll provide strategic direction across asset planning, renewals, maintenance, resilience, data quality, funding, stakeholder engagement, and team capability. You'll work across the organisation to turn complex data into informed decisions, influence investment priorities, and ensure our transport assets continue to deliver value for our communities.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact—leading a high-performing team, championing best practice asset management, and ensuring every investment is evidence-based, financially responsible, and aligned with Council's long-term vision.

In this role, you will:

• Shape the future of the transport network by leading the development and delivery of the Transportation Activity Management Plan, asset management strategies, policies, and long-term maintenance, renewal, and investment programmes.

• Drive smarter investment decisions by monitoring asset condition, performance, lifecycle costs, network risks, and levels of service, using robust data and evidence to optimise whole-of-life outcomes.

• Maximise investment in the network by developing compelling business cases, long-term financial forecasts, funding applications, and strategic advice to secure investment from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

• Champion excellence in asset management by ensuring asset information, condition data, and management systems are accurate, reliable, and trusted to support confident decision-making.

• Strengthen network resilience by leading climate adaptation, resilience planning, emergency preparedness, and recovery programmes that keep communities connected through storms, flooding, slips, and other disruptive events.

• Influence strategic decision-making by providing clear, insightful advice and presenting complex technical information to senior leaders, elected members, and other key stakeholders.

• Build trusted partnerships across Council, contractors, consultants, utility providers, neighbouring authorities, industry partners, and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to deliver shared outcomes for the community.

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team by coaching, mentoring, and developing people, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and ensuring resources and budgets are managed effectively.

To set you up for success, you’ll have

• Extensive experience in infrastructure asset management, with a proven track record of delivering strategic asset management outcomes.

• Deep technical expertise in asset lifecycle optimisation, long-term investment planning, renewals programming, performance monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Exceptional analytical capability, with the ability to interpret complex data, leverage asset management systems, and translate insights into practical, commercially sound investment decisions.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience in long-term financial planning, programme delivery, contract management, procurement, and supplier performance.

• A thorough understanding of New Zealand transport legislation, asset management best practice, Council governance, audit requirements, and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi funding and investment processes.

• Demonstrated expertise in managing network risk, resilience, climate adaptation, and natural hazard impacts to protect critical infrastructure and support community resilience.

• Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and provide credible advice at executive and governance levels.

• An inspiring and authentic leadership style, with a passion for developing people, building high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ relevant experience.

• A clean and current driver licence.

• A degree in a related discipline would be desirable.

• An IAM Certificate or Diploma in Asset Management would be desirable.

What we offer

• Five weeks annual leave

• A competitive employment package - including subsidised medical insurance

• A pet friendly work environment

• Sick leave on commencement of employment

• Learning and development opportunities

• Access to wellbeing resources and workplace support

• Free onsite parking

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit.

For further information please call Calum McLean on 0800 926 732.