Head of Asset & Investment Planning
Shape the direction of critical water infrastructure in a role where your leadership and strategic insight drive real, measurable community impact.
- Senior Leadership position with a significant sphere of influence in the delivery of water infrastructure
- Shape long-term investment & development strategies for critical water assets and services
- Permanent position based in Petone
The opportunity
In this newly established leadership role, you will drive the development and integration of strategy, investment planning and asset management planning, to align with organisational priorities and deliver long-term, affordable, and high-value outcomes for our metro councils, and our community (and from 1 July 2026 Taiki Wai). You will translate three waters strategy into funded, prioritised multi-year asset plans, ensuring growth and sustainability. Through your leadership, you will ensure resilient planning that supports sustainable development and delivers enduring benefits for future generations.
Day to day you will:
- Guide the maturation of asset planning practices.
- Shape and steer a long-term, prioritised investment pipeline that balances service, risk, cost, and growth.
- Monitor and report on investment and team performance.
- Champion evidence-driven business cases and investment frameworks that improve value for money, derive clear benefits and regulatory readiness.
- Build collaborative relationships across operational, technical, and executive teams to ensure smooth handovers that translate into real-world outcomes.
- Lead and develop high-performing planning teams that foster a culture of continuous improvement and pride in service.
About you
To be successful in this role you will bring:
- A relevant tertiary qualification, with significant investment planning credentials.
- Experience in asset and infrastructure planning ideally within a regulated utility environment with high impact and value.
- A proven ability to turn strategy into long-term investment programmes and lead development of SAMPs, AMPs, or business cases.
- Excellent analytical and commercial prowess, with experience creating in-depth and informed business cases to executive teams.
- Strong leadership skills, with experience growing high-performing teams and influencing collaboration across teams.
- A commitment to positive outcomes and a passion for improving water infrastructure and services for local communities.
Benefits
At Wellington Water, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.
Our benefits include:
- Flexible working arrangements including up to 2 days working from home
- Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
- Formal and informal professional development opportunities
- 5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service
For a full list of our employee benefits click here.
About us
Wellington Water is the professional water services provider across Greater Wellington and South Wairarapa. Our job is to provide safe and healthy drinking water, collect and treat wastewater, and ensure the stormwater network is well managed. We’re a multi-council owned entity, tasked to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities.
The value of water (a precious taonga) sits at our organisational heart. Our people are passionate about providing waters services for our communities and environment which is reflective in our values; Tangata Tiaki, Whānau and Mana.
Applications close: 14th December 2025
How to apply
To view a copy of the position description: click here.
To apply, click on the ‘apply’ button or visit the Wellington Water Careers site, please note if you are a Wellington Water employee you need to apply using your work email.
For further information, email: andrew.howard@wellingtonwater.co.nz
Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Wellington Water. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand.
- Department
- Strategy and Planning
- Role
- Service Planning
- Locations
- Petone Office
Petone Office
Staff benefits
1. Inclusive Culture: It is important to us that people love our culture. We embrace a workplace where diversity is celebrated, and inclusivity is at our core. Our team is united by passion, dedication, and a shared care for water and our community.
2. Safety and Support: We provide an Employee Assistance Scheme for crucial personal support, along with wellbeing and lifestyle education delivered through our Wellbe Team, ensuring you feel supported in and out of the workplace.
3. Health is Wealth: We prioritise your health with an annual voluntary health "warrant of fitness," immunisations, and flu vaccinations. Moreover, enjoy annual subsidised vision testing and contributions toward glasses to ensure clear vision.
4. Work-Life Balance: Where possible there is access to flexible work practices. And take advantage of our annual leave, reaching five weeks after three years of service, and 10 days sick leave from starting with us. In addition, take one paid day a year for your personal Wellbeing. We also offer parental leave and partner entitlements to support you during significant life moments.
5. Comprehensive Benefits: We have partnered with providers for discounted Southern Cross medical insurance, periodic vision and hearing tests, and eyewear subsidies. You can also access discounts at a range of retailers via Boost. Gain access to top-notch gear, machinery, PPE, and tools, fostering a safe work environment if you are “on the tools”. We also offer a staff referral bonus paid when a person is recruited for a senior front line position, and we may offer relocation support if you need to move into the district to work here.
6. Professional Growth: Grow your skills with a range of development opportunities. Boosting your personal and work career.
7. Community Connection: You can take one paid day a year to participate in voluntary work on a water-related activity. And maybe join our active Waiata group and be part of a community that works together, sings, and thrives together.
About Wellington Water
Wellington Water is owned by the Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington city, South Wairarapa District, and the Greater Wellington Regional councils
The work Wellington Water does is vital and rewarding. We’re tangata tiaki for Wellington’s water, and caretakers of our water infrastructure. Every day, we work to ensure that our communities have access to safe, sufficient, reliable and efficient water services. WWL is growing, and opportunities are growing along with it. It’s a transformative time in the industry.
Already working at Wellington Water?
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