Development Lead

He kōrero mō mātou | About Watercare Ki te ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata When the water is healthy, the land and the people are healthy We are looking for an experienced Development Programme Lead to join our Strategy and Planning team based in Newmarket. You will be responsible for leading Watercare's engagement with major developers across Auckland and managing relationships on large-scale residential, commercial and public housing developments that have significant infrastructure impacts. This role plays a critical part in connecting developers, Auckland Council, Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) and Watercare teams to ensure development outcomes are supported by effective water and wastewater infrastructure planning. You'll guide stakeholders through the development process, coordinate internal expertise, and help shape practical solutions that support Auckland's growth. Fixed term to end June 2027. Key responsibilities Leading Watercare's engagement with major developers from early planning through to implementation Acting as the primary point of contact for developers, consultants and key external stakeholders Coordinating internal Watercare inputs across planning, consenting, developer services, operations and programme delivery teams Supporting Watercare's involvement in Fast Track applications Supporting in the facilitation of infrastructure funding and commercial agreements with developers Maintaining strong relationships with Auckland Council, CCOs, Kāinga Ora and other strategic partners Ensuring proposed developments are incorporated into Watercare's planning and investment strategies Managing development tracking, reporting and stakeholder communications Identifying risks, resolving issues and driving collaborative outcomes across complex projects About you You are a relationship-focused professional with strong stakeholder management, programme coordination and problem-solving skills. You thrive in complex environments, enjoy working across multiple disciplines, and can confidently engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Core qualifications A tertiary qualification in water and wastewater engineering, resource management, or a related discipline At least 3 years' experience in a relevant infrastructure, planning, development or engineering environment Demonstrated project or programme management experience Strong stakeholder engagement, relationship management and negotiation skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills The ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and manage competing priorities Strong problem-solving capabilities and commercial awareness Experience working with cross-functional teams to achieve successful outcomes Desirable experience Knowledge of Auckland's development sector and growth planning environment Experience with commercial agreements, funding arrangements or cost recovery processes Understanding of water and wastewater infrastructure networks Experience working with developers, local government or public sector organisations What's in it for you Competitive salary and staff benefits package Training and development opportunities Employee discounts at a range of large retailers #J-18808-Ljbffr