Contracts Lead
Lead contracts behind city-shaping projects, partnering with Procurement to deliver strong outcomes for the community.
This is a key leadership opportunity to shape how Napier City Council plans, negotiates, and manages its contractual arrangements across capital projects, renewals, maintenance, and operational services. Your expertise will directly influence delivery certainty, value for money, and supplier performance across a complex and growing portfolio.
As Contracts Lead, you will be the Council’s senior specialist for contract management and commercial governance setting the standard for how contracts are structured, administered, and managed throughout their lifecycle. Working within the EPMO, you’ll partner closely with delivery teams to ensure contracts are robust, risks are actively managed, and commercial outcomes support successful project and operational delivery.
This is a role for someone who enjoys balancing strategy with action. You’ll work closely with internal stakeholders, contractors, consultants, and industry partners to create smarter, more efficient ways of working while ensuring compliance, performance, and commercial outcomes remain front of mind. Alongside this, you’ll lead and mentor a small team, creating a collaborative and high-performing environment where people are supported to succeed.
Te Āheinga - The Opportunity
Lead the end‑to‑end contract management function across Council, from contract strategy and formation through to delivery, variations, and close‑out
Set and uplift Council’s contract management frameworks, tools, templates, and governance practices
Develop and enhance contract frameworks, supplier panels, alliances, and contract delivery models
Lead and Support contract negotiations, risk management, and performance outcomes across various council contracts
Partner with project, asset, and operational teams to improve contract accountability and delivery confidence
Lead contract assurance and audit activity, including supporting and responding to contract management audits and funding assurance requirements (e.g. NZTA), and driving corrective actions where required
Build strong relationships with suppliers, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders
Lead, mentor and support a capable contracts team while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
He kōrero mōhou - About You
Proven experience leading contracts, procurement, or commercial delivery within infrastructure, construction, or complex operational environments
Strong commercial judgement with the ability to navigate risk, negotiations, and contract outcomes confidently
You bring strong contract leadership experience and are confident operating in complex delivery environments. You are practical, commercially astute, and comfortable stepping into detail when required, while also thinking strategically about how systems and frameworks can work better.
Naturally collaborative, with the ability to build trusted relationships across teams, suppliers, and industry partners
A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with an eye for opportunities to improve value, efficiency, and performance
Leadership experience that brings out the best in others through clear direction, support, and coaching
Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer
5 weeks' annual leave after 2 years service
Discounted health insurance work scheme + Eye test subsidy
Retailer discounts + study assistance
Employee Assistance Program (OCP)
Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club
Free flu vaccinations (annual)
Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka
Te Reo Māori language classes
This is a permanent, full time opportunity working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You will be based in Napier.
The annual salary package for this role is $120,763 - $142,074 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.
We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person.
He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC
At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!
Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.
Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.
Please visit Napier City Council Careers website to see full job description
- Department
- Strategy & Urban Development
- Locations
- Cape View
- Employment Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
