He aha te mahi – What’s the job?
Do you want to be part of one of New Zealand’s most transformative infrastructure projects? Are you a Chartered Professional Engineer ready to lead from the front – combining deep technical expertise with visionary leadership?
Greater Wellington Regional Council (GW) is seeking a Chief Engineer to be at the forefront of the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink) programme. This major initiative is a cornerstone for resilience and regeneration in Lower Hutt, aiming to realign the city’s relationship with Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River, promote flood resilience, enable urban development, and improve transport links.
This pivotal role offers the opportunity to apply your engineering leadership to deliver safe, innovative, and sustainable infrastructure solutions that enhance lives, support community growth, and restore the health of our environment and waterways.
About the Project – Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink).
RiverLink is a collaborative programme involving GW, Hutt City Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, and Taranaki Whānui. Our vision is underpinned by the principles of:
- Ora Tangata – thriving people
- Ora Taiao – a thriving environment
- Ora Wairua – cultural and spiritual wellbeing
The programme focuses on delivering integrated flood protection, revitalised cityscape and river corridors, transport connectivity, and cultural connection to the river. The Chief Engineer will ensure Greater Wellington’s assets are delivered with excellence, and their integrity protected for generations to come.
Why this role is for you
As Chief Engineer, you’ll be the technical guardian of GWRC’s interests, overseeing the design and construction of complex flood protection and civil infrastructure projects. This includes technical acceptance of new assets and integrating “whole-of-life” considerations in everything from risk management to design innovation.
You will:
- Provide expert leadership in engineering best practices
- Oversee design, construction, and technical assurance
- Work closely with project partners, iwi, contractors, and the internal Delivery Group
- Ensure compliance with GWRC standards and long-term asset resilience
- Mentor, coach and develop engineering capabilities across the group
- Contribute to a significant legacy for the Wellington region
Who we’re looking for
This role is ideal for a seasoned engineering leader with:
- 15+ years’ experience in civil engineering, preferably in flood protection, river works, or large-scale infrastructure projects
- Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status
- Strong background in technical assurance, project delivery, and risk assessment
- Practical understanding of NZS 3910 construction contracts
- A successful track record in public sector infrastructure, alliance contracting, and stakeholder collaboration
- Experience applying Mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori principles in engineering projects
- Excellent communication and relationship skills, able to translate technical detail into strategic insights
Your leadership will drive delivery excellence, foster innovation, and uphold our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, community wellbeing, and climate resilience.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as Greater Wellington’s principal technical advisor for engineering delivery in RiverLink
- Lead design reviews, contract oversight, and construction monitoring
- Manage compliance with engineering procedures and specifications
- Ensure flood protection outcomes are achieved through quality asset design and construction
- Identify and manage engineering risks and opportunities
- Mentor engineering staff and champion best practice
- Build strong relationships across the Environment Group, contractors, councils, and iwi partners
- Contribute to emergency preparedness and response across the region
- Promote sustainable resource use and long-term planning
Working at Greater Wellington
Greater Wellington Regional Council (GW) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our region – now and for future generations. Our work focuses on environmental management, land use, water resources, biodiversity, public transport, and resilience to climate change.
In the Environment Group, you’ll join a highly skilled and collaborative team passionate about creating real impact. The Delivery Group, where this role will transition to, is the largest part of the Environment Group and central to the implementation of key initiatives across flood protection, biodiversity, parks management, and more.
Ko wai ōku hoamahi – Who you’ll work with
- Programme partners: Hutt City Council, Waka Kotahi, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, and Taranaki Whānui
- Internal teams: Environment Group, Catchment Management, Legal, Finance, HR, Health & Safety
- External stakeholders: Contractors, consultants, iwi leaders, and industry groups
- Volunteers and community organisations supporting our environmental efforts
Our Culture – Te Ao Māori and Community at the Centre
We are deeply committed to our Treaty partnership and growing our internal capability to engage meaningfully with mana whenua. Our Māori Capability Framework guides our work, helping build respectful relationships and deliver outcomes that uplift Māori communities and values.
You’ll help shape the direction of our work to reflect mātauranga Māori, empower your colleagues in cultural learning, and incorporate Māori knowledge and worldviews into engineering practice.
What we offer
- The opportunity to lead one of Aotearoa’s most critical infrastructure projects
- Competitive salary and benefits, including flexible working options
- A supportive, inclusive team that values growth, collaboration, and leadership
- Ongoing professional development and mentoring opportunities
- Work/life balance and a focus on health, safety, and wellbeing
- The chance to create a lasting legacy for generations in the Wellington region
Are you ready to lead?
This is more than an engineering job – it’s your chance to shape the future of an entire city. We’re looking for someone who brings deep expertise, a collaborative mindset, a passion for innovation, and a commitment to people, place, and partnership.
Our rohe and its lands, waterways, animals, plants and people can only grow stronger if they are nurtured.
To join our team is to step up and commit to playing an active part in this important mahi. That means restoring nature, connecting people and places, reducing environmental impacts, and helping this rohe and its people prosper.
Come help treasure and grow our rohe together:
We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and support mana whenua as Kaitiaki. We’re also part of a collective movement alongside our community members whose hopes for the future of this region are just as high as your own.
Our efforts across environmental management, public transport, flood protection, regional parks
and water supply are interconnected and integral to treasuring our rohe and growing our future.
How to apply:
Greater Wellington is proud to be a member of Diversity Works. We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive, flexible, and supportive workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and welcome the unique talent and experience you will bring to our team.
We are passionate about ensuring our recruitment processes are fair and equitable. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs or adjustments that need to be made so we can offer a recruitment process that is more accessible to you.
This recruitment is being managed by our partners at SWR Group on Greater Wellington’s behalf. To apply for this role, please send your CV and covering letter to tony@swr.nz quoting reference no. 3921753.
Alternatively, to find out more contact Tony Walsh on 029 271 1101 or Suzannah Moller on 021 706 176.
Applications close: 5.00pm, Monday, 23 June 2025.
However, we will be shortlisting applications as they come in and will interview as soon as possible to secure the right person.
All applicants must have the current right to work full time in New Zealand.
