Manager, Waste Infrastructure and Services

Wellington City CouncilWellington, Wellington, New Zealand

13 hours ago

Job description

Manager, Waste Infrastructure and Services

Kia mahi ngātahi mō Pōneke mō tōna āpōpō | Working together for Wellington's future

Pōneke is a city with ambition, creativity, and resilience at its core. As New Zealand's capital, we are globally connected yet distinctly local, future-focused yet grounded in our communities, culture, and whenua. We're committed to building a city that is sustainable, inclusive, and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow - where infrastructure and mobility are enablers of wellbeing, equity, and climate responsibility.

We’re looking for an experienced and forward-thinking leader to head our Waste Infrastructure and Services team - a pivotal role in how Pōneke manages waste, recovery, and sustainability for the future.

The Manager, Waste Infrastructure and Services provides strategic, operational, and commercial leadership across all Council waste and resource recovery activities. This Tier 3 senior leadership role integrates key waste functions into a coherent, future-focused portfolio and is accountable for delivering safe, sustainable, and financially responsible outcomes that meet statutory obligations, community expectations, and long-term waste management goals.

Āu ake mahi | What you’ll do

Strategic Leadership

Lead the overall waste and resource recovery strategy, ensuring alignment with Council’s long-term plans, climate and sustainability goals, and national waste reform.

Portfolio Oversight and Integration

Directly oversee key managers and functions across Waste Planning Policy and Reporting, Waste Services and Performance, Landfill Operations and Assets, Waste Minimisation, and Resource Recovery.

Ensure clarity of accountability and collaboration across the portfolio.

Lead operational budgets, capital investments, and revenue from landfill and recovery operations.

Drive financial sustainability through effective integration of contracts, operations, and recovery initiatives.

Stakeholder and Sector Leadership

Represent Council in regional and national waste and recovery forums.

Build and maintain trusted relationships with central government, Mana Whenua, community groups, and industry.

Contribute as a member of Council’s Tier Three Leadership Team, modelling enterprise leadership and supporting organisation-wide priorities.

Build a high-performing, collaborative, and values-driven culture, and lead organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.

Health and Safety

Lead health, safety, security, and risk management in accordance with Council’s risk management framework and relevant legislation.

Additional Responsibilities

Oversee a large, skilled team delivering critical waste, landfill, and recovery services across the city.

Champion innovation and circular economy approaches to reduce waste and improve recovery outcomes.

Lead statutory plans, including the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan and asset management frameworks.

Ngā tohu me ngā wheako | Qualifications and experience

Demonstrated ability to lead an integrated city wide function that connects operational delivery with long term sustainability and infrastructure goals

Demonstrated understanding of the interdependencies between waste and other critical city service related assets and services, and the ability to align waste management priorities with broader council and regional objectives

Commercial and financial acumen, with experience overseeing significant budgets and procurement programmes, and an understanding of right sizing operations, prioritisation of activity, optimising activity, commercial negotiation, analysing cost drivers, and identifying efficiency opportunities.

Strong track record in leading people through change, building high performing teams and an empowered work force culture

Demonstrated emotional intelligence authenticity, and resilience in re setting direction, expectations and behaviours

Politically astute with an ability to engage effectively across all levels.

Senior Management experience (Tier 3 or equivalent)

Demonstrated experience in contract management and supplier performance oversight

Good understanding of waste minimisation, sustainability and circular economy principles

Tertiary qualification in business, law, engineering or environmental management – or a related field.

This is a unique opportunity to shape Wellington’s approach to waste and resource recovery - delivering outcomes that support a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable future for our city.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave , flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities.

Applications close on the 12 th of November 2025. All applications must be submitted online. All applicants must have the current right to work in New Zealand.

Diversity : We want your application to enable you to portray the real you. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the advert through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter. We welcome applications from all walks of life and like our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Accessibility Support : We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing :

Details

Reference number : 49541

Posted on : 31 Oct 2025

Closes on : 12 Nov : 55

Location(s) : Wellington CBD

Expertise : Compliance, consents, regulation and licencing, Environment, Health and safety, Iwi / public engagement and relations, Policy, planning and strategy, Procurement and contracts management, Waste Management

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Service Manager • Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand