Te kōwhiringa | The Opportunity
The People and Culture Manager plays a critical leadership role in the project’s management team, responsible for leading the alliance bringing to life our vision, purpose and mātāpono. You’ll provide strategic and operational leadership for P&C performance across the Ō2NL Southern Alliance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Actively demonstrate the behaviours consistent with high-performance leadership aligned to South Alliance vision and alliance principles
• Actively foster a positive workplace culture and deliver support across our people processes, resourcing and high-performance activities
• Champion the projects KRAs and KPIs to ensure the ongoing measurement and performance of the alliance
• Embed a Just Culture and shared accountability across the alliance
• Ensure sound financial and business practices are applied to all operations consistent with alliance policy and business systems

About Ō2NL:

The Te Pae o Tararua (Ōtaki to north of Levin - Ō2NL) highway will dramatically improve safety, resilience, and efficiency, as well as increasing transport choices for the area’s growing population. The Ō2NL project is led in partnership with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, local hapū of Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and council partner Horowhenua District Council.

This transformative project is being delivered using a two-alliance approach, with each alliance delivering a section of the road and associated works. Together alliance partners are working to create a positive legacy for the region, led by our project principles to tread lightly with the whenua and create an enduring legacy. We are seeking excellent people for this unique opportunity to work and collaborate with leading industry organisations.

Nga pūkenga matua | Important Skills

To succeed in this role, you will bring extensive experience in people leadership within large-scale infrastructure projects environments. We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following:

• Tertiary qualification in HR Management or equivalent experience in Senior P&C roles, ideally within a construction context
• Significant experience leading P&C functions on major infrastructure or construction projects with board reporting responsibilities
• Experience operating in alliance or complex stakeholder environments
• Proven track record in embedding a high-performance culture and creating an inclusive working environment
• Expert in data‑led reporting that informs decision‑making and tells a clear performance story
• Proven commercial acumen demonstrated in cost forecasting and tracking

Ko te take ka parekareka e koe ki te mahi ki kōnei | Why you will enjoy working here

• Working for a progressive and reliable organisation, you will be offered a competitive remuneration package and the opportunity to grow and develop your career.  

• You will receive ongoing mentoring, training, and development opportunities to ensure your knowledge and skills continue to be industry leading and your career opportunities limitless in an organisation the size of ours.  

• We pride ourselves on our socially responsible, inclusive, and diverse culture, that includes a Zero Harm tolerance.

• We are Rainbow tick certified and members of Diversity Works.

• We also encourage our people to participate in community volunteering initiatives and pay for the time you spend helping to make our community better with Downer's volunteer leave.

Ko wai mātou | Our Organisation

Want to know more about what it is like to work at Downer? Then head to our People Site here!

Me pēhea ki te tono | How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, click Apply Now to submit your application! The reference number for this role is 732679.

We are committed to a safe working environment for everyone - all successful applicants will be required to undertake a pre-employment drug test, medical and a Ministry of Justice check prior to starting employment. If you need support with this requirement, please talk to our team.