About us
Selwyn Water is a council-controlled organisation delivering drinking water and wastewater services across Waikirikiri Selwyn. We support a growing district with safe, reliable and affordable services, protecting the wellbeing of our communities now and for future generations.
The role
Reporting to the Director Asset Lifecycle Management, you will lead a team of up to six within the Asset Lifecycle Management Group. You will strengthen our development engineering function, bringing together technical expertise, responsive service and clear accountability.
You will coach and develop your people, set clear expectations and manage workloads and priorities. You will help the team give applicants timely, practical advice, explain decisions clearly and apply requirements consistently.
Working across planning, operations and capital programmes, you will oversee servicing strategies, network capacity assessments, technical input to consent applications, design approvals, construction monitoring and asset handover. You will maintain the Engineering Code of Practice and strengthen approval processes, records and technical governance.
Your decisions will balance development needs with network capacity, technical risk, whole-of-life costs and affordability for existing customers. You will build constructive relationships with developers, consultants, Council, iwi and regulators, exercising independent judgement and working within agreed delegations.
What you will bring
You will be an experienced engineering leader who combines sound technical judgement with the ability to develop people, improve services and make balanced decisions. You will bring:
- A relevant qualification in civil or infrastructure engineering, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and substantial relevant experience.
- Substantial experience in development engineering, infrastructure planning or municipal engineering, including water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Demonstrated success leading and coaching teams, managing performance and building capability.
- A strong understanding of development servicing, engineering approvals, design standards and relevant New Zealand legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Commercial judgement and the ability to assess technical risk, whole-of-life costs and the implications of growth for existing customers.
- Clear, concise communication and the confidence to explain decisions, resolve issues and maintain constructive relationships.
- Experience improving processes and using GIS and engineering information systems to support reliable decisions and records.
- A visible commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, including creating an environment where people can speak up.
- A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working constructively with iwi.
Chartered Professional Engineer status or equivalent professional recognition, and Engineering New Zealand membership, would be advantageous. Experience in hydraulic modelling, growth forecasting or spatial planning would also be valuable.
The opportunity
You will have the opportunity to shape how this function works as Selwyn Water develops. This is a role with scope to build team capability, improve the development experience and influence infrastructure decisions with a lasting community impact.
How to apply
Please submit your cover letter and CV using the ‘Apply’ button. For a confidential initial discussion, email [email protected].
Applications close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
Find out more at www.selwynwater.co.nz.