Senior Project Manager – Planning & Development

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

This is an opportunity to lead the planning and shaping of major capital projects that will influence the future of the University of Auckland's campus environment.

As a Senior Project Manager within Campus Environment, you will take a leadership role across a diverse portfolio of complex capital projects and programmes. With a strong focus on the front end of project delivery, you will guide projects through feasibility, business case development, stakeholder engagement, design development and governance processes, ensuring projects are positioned for long-term success.

Working within a large and diverse organisation, you will partner with academic leaders, service divisions, consultants, contractors and external stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into practical and achievable project outcomes. This role requires someone who can confidently navigate competing priorities, support decision-making at senior levels and build consensus across a broad stakeholder group.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-profile new build and refurbishment projects across teaching, research and student environments. Current and future projects span a range of complex environments, including research facilities, laboratories, libraries and student-facing spaces, supporting the University's long-term campus development objectives.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading projects through feasibility, business case development, planning, design and procurement phases
• Managing consultant teams and supporting effective governance, decision-making and stakeholder engagement processes
• Developing business cases, project briefs and strategic recommendations that support investment decisions
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across faculties, service divisions, consultants and external partners
• Managing project budgets, risks, programmes and approvals to ensure successful delivery outcomes
• Supporting construction delivery, commissioning and handover activities where required

This is a permanent full-time position (37.5 hours per week). The salary range for this role is $168,000 to $182,000, negotiable depending on skills and experience.

A full description of your duties and the role are provided in the position description linked HERE.

He kōrero mōu | About you

Ideally, you are an experienced client-side or consultancy project professional, although candidates from other backgrounds will also be considered. You will have a proven track record of establishing and leading complex capital projects within large organisations.

While you understand the full project lifecycle, your strengths lie in the early phases of project delivery, where stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, business case development, and design leadership are critical to success.

You are astute and comfortable working across complex governance environments. You know how to bring diverse stakeholder groups together, manage competing priorities and build support for project outcomes. You can confidently challenge ideas, ask the right questions and influence decision-making while maintaining strong relationships.

You bring a balanced approach to design, cost control and delivery. You appreciate the importance of creating high-quality environments without losing sight of budget, programme and operational requirements. Experience working in complex institutional, government, tertiary education, research or healthcare environments would be highly regarded.

E rapua ana mātou | We are seeking

• Extensive experience establishing and leading major capital projects or programmes within complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Strong capability in business case development, project planning, design management and consultant leadership
• Demonstrated experience working within formal governance structures and presenting to senior leadership and decision-making groups
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and build consensus across diverse groups
• Proven experience managing project budgets, procurement, contracts, risks and approvals processes
• A relevant tertiary qualification in project management, construction, engineering, architecture, property or a related discipline

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university, guided by a commitment to excellence and service to our communities. With more than 6,000 academic and professional staff, we support a diverse community of over 47,000 students.

Guided by our values, we work collaboratively to advance knowledge, foster equity and inclusion, and contribute meaningfully to New Zealand’s social, cultural, and economic well-being.

We cultivate an environment that supports your growth and rewards excellence with a range of staff benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and five weeks of annual leave
• Discounted public Transport for permanent and long-term fixed term staff
• Superannuation/KiwiSaver, matching up to 6.75%
• Flexible working arrangements, including working from home and flexible hours
• Leading, and inclusive parental leave provisions
• Career development opportunities and a range of benefits, including discounted insurance, memberships, and on‑site amenities

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Sunday, 18 October 2026. Your application should include:

• A brief Cover Letter explaining why you're interested in this role and how your skills match the requirements.
• Your updated CV.

Please note that we do not accept email applications.

For a confidential discussion, you are welcome to contact Neil Gardner, Senior Recruitment Consultant at [email protected]

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz