• Drive operational improvement across PT services
• Join a values‑led organisation shaping Waitaha’s future
• Fixed Term 12 Months | Full Time

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

This role leads the Public Transport Business Services & Improvement Team—the people who ensure the tools, systems, frameworks, and contracts behind Canterbury’s public transport network are consistent, efficient, and ready for the future. You’ll provide people leadership, improve business processes, deliver operational reporting, guide the use of tools like Total Mobility, Real‑Time Information and customer feedback systems, and work with operators and suppliers to drive excellent customer experiences. You’ll work closely with PT colleagues, suppliers, service providers, and partners to drive quality outcomes, service consistency, innovation, and strong customer experiences.

In this role you will:

• Lead and support your team to deliver high quality operational services and reporting.‑quality operational services and reporting.
• Develop and refine work programmes, business processes, standards, and guidelines.
• Oversee Total Mobility services and support community vehicle trusts across the region.
• Work with procurement and suppliers to deliver effective, efficient PT solutions.

• Build strong relationships with operators, stakeholders, and contract partners

This is a full-time fixed term role for 12 months.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You’re an experienced people leader who thrives in a collaborative, multi‑stakeholder environment. You bring operational curiosity, a customer‑centric approach, and the ability to turn strategy into real‑world outcomes. You’ll be confident influencing others, uplifting capability, improving processes, and working with diverse partners in a dynamic transport environment.

To enjoy this role, you’ll have:

• Strong collaboration and relationship‑building capability.
• Experience in procurement, contract management, or business process improvement.
• Financial and operational reporting experience.
• Understanding of public‑sector probity, accountability, and risk management.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

Ideally, you’ll have a relevant tertiary qualification in business, commerce, procurement or transport planning, or equivalent related work experience along with: 

• 7+ years leading and developing high‑performing teams
• Strong people‑leadership and cross‑functional influencing skills
• Proven team leadership and development capability
• Experience delivering business process improvements

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury  

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills. 

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

Applications close on Sunday, 8 March.  Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.  

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. 

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can