Are you passionate about lifting project delivery standards and building capability across teams? Rotorua Lakes Council is looking for a driven and experienced Project Capability and Performance Lead to help embed excellence across our capital programme. In this influential role, you’ll guide the development of delivery frameworks, lead capability-building initiatives, and ensure performance measures are in place to support consistent, high-quality project outcomes. This is your chance to shape the systems, tools, and practices that drive Rotorua’s capital investment forward. If you’re ready to apply your analytical skills to projects that matter for Rotorua’s future, we’d love to hear from you.
About Rotorua Lakes Council
Rotorua Lakes Council is one of the largest employers in Rotorua, dedicated to building a positive future for our district and its approximately 70,000 residents, with visitors numbering in the millions. We are committed to delivering high-quality community services and fostering a high-performance culture grounded in our core values: being innovative, helpful, respectful, engaging, inspiring, and contributing to biculturalism.
Role Purpose
The Project Capability & Performance Lead plays a critical role in strengthening Rotorua Lakes Council’s approach to project delivery. This position is responsible for building capability across the organisation by providing project leaders with targeted training, guidance, and ongoing performance oversight. The role ensures alignment with Council’s strategic objectives and the consistent application of best practice project management frameworks. By promoting continuous improvement, embedding lessons learned, and supporting quality delivery, the Project Capability & Performance Lead helps lift project maturity and deliver better outcomes for the community.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver training and development programmes to strengthen project management capability across Council.
- Coach and mentor project leaders to improve planning, delivery, and reporting on non-major capital projects.
- Monitor project performance and ensure alignment with Council’s strategic objectives, frameworks, and governance requirements.
- Lead post-project reviews, promote knowledge sharing, and embed lessons learned into future project delivery.
- Provide expert advisory support to project leaders on methodologies, risk management, and performance optimisation.
- Develop and maintain quality assurance tools, processes, and guidelines that reflect best practice.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and consistency in project delivery.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders including Finance, Risk, and Programme Management to support integrated project delivery and performance culture.
Required:
- Tertiary qualification in business, project management, or a related field.
- Project management certification (e.g. Prince2, PMP, Agile).
- Proven experience in training, coaching, or capability development within a project environment.
- Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and governance frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse performance, identify gaps, and implement effective improvements.
- Experience working in or alongside local government or public sector organisations.
- Familiarity with organisational change, continuous improvement, and quality assurance processes.
- Excellent facilitation and communication skills, including report writing and presentation.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to influence across levels.
- A proactive, collaborative approach with a focus on capability-building and enabling success in others.
- Committed to fostering a performance-driven and improvement-focused project culture.
- Understands and supports the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and contributes effectively in a bicultural environment.
Joining Rotorua Lakes Council means being part of a team that is making a real difference in the community. You will have the opportunity to work in a thriving professional landscape while contributing to the future of Rotorua, a region known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. This is more than just a job, it’s an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
If you're driven by improving outcomes and building capability across teams, this is your chance to make a lasting impact. Submit your CV along with a covering letter matching your experience against the skills and qualifications detailed above.
This vacancy closes on Friday 1 August 2025.
Please click here to view position description
Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may close prior to the advertised closing date.
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