Strong relationships. Sustainable growth. An opportunity to shape what comes next.
We’re looking for a driven leader with exceptional relationship management skills, strong commercial acumen and the ability to turn opportunities into results.
As our Building Services Manager, you’ll bring people, partnerships and business performance together to lead the next phase of Co-Lab Building Services (CBS).
About Co-Lab and CBS
Co-Lab helps councils work together, share expertise and deliver services that support community wellbeing. We’re a council-controlled organisation owned by 12 councils across Waikato and Bay of Plenty, guided by integrity, innovation, collaboration and partnership. We are a small team with big ambitions. We work in a fast-paced and agile, yet supportive and people-focussed environment. We are all about innovation and exploring new ideas, making stuff happen and having fun along the way.
Working for us means you will enjoy benefits such as a day off on your birthday, an active Social Club, flexible working opportunities, free medical insurance and a great office location (think free parking and walking distance to Lake Te Koo Utu, gyms, supermarkets and cafes!).
Established just over a year ago, CBS provides building consenting services to councils throughout New Zealand, including Co-Lab’s partner councils. Developed by councils, for councils, it provides shared capacity and expertise to help councils manage demand and deliver reliable, high-quality services.
Our team spans both the North and South Islands, and we are continuing to grow our team to keep up with demand. With the foundations in place, there’s an opportunity to strengthen what we do, grow our reach and build something great together.
About the opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you’ll lead CBS’s people, operational delivery and financial performance.
At the heart of the role is relationship management: understanding what matters to our council customers, building trust and developing partnerships that support long-term success. You’ll combine this with a strong business development focus, identifying opportunities and turning them into sustainable service arrangements.
You’ll also:
Lead and connect our dispersed team, setting clear expectations and supporting people to develop and succeed.
Align workforce capacity and workflow with customer needs and agreed service commitments.
Manage budgets, resources and contractor arrangements, balancing quality, capacity and cost.
Work closely with technical leads to ensure effective competency and quality assurance systems.
Drive practical improvements that make the service better for our people and customers.
You’ll be supported by the COO, Finance and technical specialists, with travel to customer councils required from time to time.
About you
You’re a relationship builder who earns trust, follows through and brings people on a journey with you. You’re comfortable navigating different priorities, having constructive conversations and finding solutions that work for both the customer and the business.
You also have the drive to move things forward. You recognise opportunities, understand what it takes to deliver them and turn plans into action.
You’ll bring:
Exceptional relationship management skills and a track record of developing strong customer partnerships.
Business development experience, including identifying opportunities, preparing proposals and negotiating service arrangements.
Strong commercial acumen and a sound understanding of business management principles.
Experience managing budgets, resources and service performance.
Proven success leading and developing a professional or specialist team.
Clear communication, sound judgement and a practical approach to improving services.
Your experience could come from construction, consultancy, technical services, council consenting or another relevant service business. An understanding of New Zealand’s building industry is important, along with the ability to lead technical specialists effectively.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to make your mark on a young service with a clear purpose. You’ll help shape its direction, build lasting partnerships and lead a connected team delivering value to councils and their communities.
If you enjoy bringing people together, developing a business and seeing your ideas become results, we’d like to hear from you.
Ready for a kōrero?
Apply with your CV and a cover letter outlining your relationship management, business development and leadership experience and your link to the building industry.
Applications close: 30th October 2026
For further information about the role, please email [email protected] .