• Full Time
• Application Closes 30 Aug 2026
• Manawatu - Palmerston North
• Engineering Manager

The role 

This permanent, full-time position, based at Regional House in Palmerston North or our Kairanga Depot, offers the opportunity to lead a skilled team delivering capital works and specialised projects that protect communities, enhance environmental outcomes, and support resilient infrastructure across the Horizons region.

As Team Leader Capital Projects, you will provide leadership, direction and technical oversight to the Projects Team, working closely with the Freshwater and Projects Manager and other Team Leaders to successfully deliver a diverse programme of river management, flood protection and capital works projects.

You'll lead and mentor your team while overseeing the planning, design and delivery of projects from concept through to completion. You'll be responsible for project delivery, contract management, procurement, budgeting, reporting and stakeholder engagement, ensuring projects are delivered safely, sustainably, on time and within budget.

Working collaboratively across Horizons and with iwi/hapū, landowners, contractors, government agencies and the wider community, you'll build strong relationships that support successful project outcomes. You'll also ensure projects appropriately consider cultural, ecological, biodiversity and recreational values while meeting legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements.

This is a varied and rewarding leadership role with the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the resilience of our region while helping shape the future of river management and capital projects.

About you 

You're an experienced engineering or infrastructure professional who enjoys leading people and delivering successful projects. You combine strong technical knowledge with excellent leadership and relationship management skills and are passionate about achieving positive environmental and community outcomes.

To be successful in this role you'll bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Civil Engineering (minimum NZCE or equivalent).
• A current full Class 1 driver's licence.
• Experience leading capital works or infrastructure projects, including project planning, budgeting and delivery.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and developing staff.
• Strong contract management experience, ideally including NZS 3910.
• Sound financial management skills, including budget preparation, forecasting and reporting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with iwi/hapū, landowners, contractors, community groups and government agencies.
• A sound understanding of relevant legislation, New Zealand standards and Health and Safety requirements.

Experience in regional or local government, river management, flood protection or delivering government co-funded projects would be highly regarded.

If you're an experienced leader who enjoys delivering meaningful projects and developing high-performing teams, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join us?

When you join us, you can look forward to a rewarding career full of opportunities to develop a positive and supportive work environment. We do this through: 

• Positive focus on employee health, wellness and wellbeing initiatives across the organisation including your birthday off, wellness day, life insurance for all permanent staff and 5 weeks leave after 2 years of service.
• Flexible family friendly work environment.
• Ongoing development and opportunities across the organisation to grow, specialise or diversify your skills.
• Working together for a better environment across our region.
• A supportive and social work environment across the organisation.

About us 

The Horizons region extends over 22,200km2 – from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. We work with and for our community in the use and protection of our environment, managing our precious resources of land, air and water; as well as public transport and a key role in emergency management. At Horizons Regional Council we work to make our region a healthy environment where people are thriving, including our staff.

Horizons are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to ensuring we have a diverse and inclusive workplace, so our people reflect the diversity of our region.

Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 30 August 2026.