Are you an experienced programme leader who thrives in complex, high-stakes environments and enjoys bringing clarity, structure and confidence to challenging work? Whangārei District Council is seeking a senior Programme Manager (fixed term for a period of up to 2 years) to lead the Northland Local Government Reform programme. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping how local government may evolve across the region, working alongside elected members, external experts, chief executives, iwi and hapū, and senior leaders to deliver a disciplined, decision-ready reform programme.

About the role

As Programme Manager - Local Government Reform, you'll provide end-to-end leadership of a multi-stage, multi-council programme designed to progress local government reform across Northland. Your initial focus will be on mobilising the programme and establishing aspects of governance, planning and resourcing foundations required to support informed decision-making through subsequent stages.

In this role, you'll lead programme integration and delivery across participating councils, managing resources, workstreams and external advisors while ensuring strong alignment to agreed resolutions, statutory requirements, and reform principles. You'll establish and maintain programme governance arrangements, including reporting frameworks, decision gateways, and risk management processes, and prepare high-quality reports and recommendations for governance bodies.

You'll act as the primary interface with the Chief Executives' Forum, the Elected Member Steering Group and the External Advisory Group, supporting effective collaboration, assurance and confidence at each decision point.

You're comfortable operating where issues are ambiguous, contested, and subject to public, political and media scrutiny, you'll bring structure to uncertainty, proactively manage risks and dependencies, and support smooth transitions between programme stages. You'll also oversee the design of iwi, hapū and community engagement approaches, working closely with councils to ensure these are fit for purpose.

About you

You're a highly experienced programme leader with a strong track record of delivering complex, multi-stage programmes in local or central government settings. You bring deep capability in programme governance, assurance and decision-gated delivery, and you're comfortable operating where issues are ambiguous, contested and subject to public and political scrutiny.

Confident, calm and credible at senior levels, you're skilled at working with elected members, chief executives and diverse stakeholders, and you know how to translate complex information into clear, decision-ready advice. You have a strong understanding of local government structures, legislation and reform processes, and experience managing multiple suppliers and specialist advisory inputs.

You value collaboration, cultural awareness and long-term stewardship, and you bring a thoughtful, disciplined approach to managing risk, relationships and outcomes. Above all, you're motivated by work that makes a meaningful difference and contributes to strong, sustainable outcomes for communities.

What we offer

At Whangārei District Council, we're shaping the future of our district. Here's what makes us stand out:

• Impactful Work: Be part of delivering essential services that directly improve community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside passionate professionals in a supportive, forward-thinking environment.
• Lifestyle Balance: Enjoy the benefits of living in Whangārei —beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and a relaxed lifestyle—while contributing to meaningful work.

If you're ready to lead one of the most significant reform programmes in the region, we'd like to hear from you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the People and Capability team on (09) 430 4200 or 0800 932 463