Senior Project Manager

Are you an experienced Project Manager keen to make a difference for conservation in Aotearoa?Do you have a deep understanding of civil construction, health and safety and risk management?Permanent full-time, Te Anau, Invercargill or Queenstown location preferred.Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao TūroaThe Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.Mō te tūranga | About the roleWe are looking for a highly skilled and motivated Senior Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of the Piopiotahi Visitor Experience Improvement Project, from scoping to completion. This project aims to deliver a world class experience at sites along the Milford Road corridor and at Piopiotahi Milford Sound and transition these to BAU operations. You will manage and coordinate various investigation and remediation projects, applying effective project and relationship management methods to ensure their successful completion, before handing them over for ongoing operational maintenance.Key responsibilities includes;Project manage a wide range of deliverables (car park/toilet upgrades, walking track infrastructure, interpretation and cultural storytelling elements) including leading site investigations, options assessments and procurement and contractor monitoring.Establish and maintain project documentation, including project management plans, procurement plans, contracts, reporting, and data management, to ensure successful delivery.Management of project budgets (OPEX and CAPEX) including accurate forecasting, identification of savings opportunities and ensuring value for money.Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.Work collaboratively with the wider Programme team including the Programme Manager and District Operations to ensure projects are technically robust, lessons are shared, and a consistent approach is achieved.Turn complex technical processes into efficient, actionable plans and by engaging the right consultants and contractors and ensuring clarity of scope and expected deliverables and quality standards.Identify, mitigate, and manage project risks, ensuring smooth delivery within compliance requirements and deadlines.Management of Health and Safety of staff, consultants and contractorsClick Here For The Role DescriptionNgā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experienceIf you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:Proven experience managing large-scale, complex infrastructure projects with a strong understanding of project management principles, risk management, and governance.Experience in delivering civil and visitor infrastructure works.Proficiency in MS Office tools and MS Project.Strong financial literacy and management capabilitiesExcellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, along with a proven track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams.A thorough understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act and management of health and safety throughout all stages of project delivery.Experience engaging and working collaboratively with Māori to ensure outcomes meet expectations of our treaty partners.Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguous situations and bring structure and clarity to complex projects.Desirable:Certified in Prince2 or Agile (or similar) and adept with a range of project management practices and methodologies.Experience working within an outdoors environment and the associated challenges that provides.Knowledge or experience in Local or Central Government environments.He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default.BenefitsYou can learn more about what we offer here.Tono ināianei | Apply nowApply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.The salary range for this position is $95,706 - $128,271 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.Please note we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 23 November 2025.Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please feel free to reach out to Mark Symons, Programme Manager at msymons@doc.govt.nz.