Technology Manager, Software Engineering - Wellington

About Z Energy and the Opportunity

Z Energy is a leading transport energy company in New Zealand, focused on powering better journeys today and into the future. As part of the Ampol Group, a major independent energy company operating across the Trans-Tasman and globally, Z Energy embraces innovation and transformation to meet evolving customer and business needs.

Within Tech, Digital & Data at Ampol, the digital transformation journey is driven by data-informed decision-making and integrating advanced technologies to deliver seamless, value-oriented customer experiences. The technology teams are focused on strengthening capabilities and fostering innovation to create sustainable value and future-ready solutions.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Technology Manager in Software Engineering to lead a skilled engineering team. You will oversee the delivery of scalable, secure, and fit-for-purpose software solutions aligned with business goals, enterprise architecture, and technology standards. The role involves people leadership, coaching, and cultivating a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of software engineers, empowering them to perform at their best while expanding their skills.
• Establish and nurture a robust engineering culture centered on quality, collaboration, accountability, and ongoing improvement.
• Collaborate with product managers, architects, and delivery leaders to translate business priorities into reliable, maintainable technology solutions.
• Promote engineering best practices including modern software development techniques, automation, quality engineering, and operational performance focus.
• Remove obstacles and simplify processes to enable teams to deliver value swiftly and take full ownership.
• Guide technical decision-making to ensure solutions meet current needs and long-term strategic objectives.
• Coach and mentor engineers and technical leaders, fostering capability building and clear professional growth paths.
• Encourage experimentation, innovation, and steady learning while balancing pragmatism, risk, and delivery goals.
• Coordinate across multiple teams and stakeholders to align priorities and achieve impactful outcomes for customers and the business.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated success leading and growing software engineering teams within complex enterprise contexts.
• Strong foundational knowledge in software engineering with capability to provide technical leadership and challenge established approaches.
• Experience supporting critical enterprise applications and platforms at scale.
• Adept with modern engineering methodologies including agile delivery, DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, quality assurance, observability, and operations excellence.
• Ability to balance immediate delivery demands with long-term platform sustainability and technical debt considerations.
• Track record establishing engineering standards, governance, and consistent practices that enhance quality and maintainability.
• Passion for building high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and clearly defined career progression.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, capable of translating complex technical ideas into business terms and influencing at various levels.
• A mindset oriented towards continuous improvement, capability uplift, innovation, and enhanced delivery across teams.
• Comfortable managing complexity and ambiguity, making pragmatic decisions that balance speed, risk, and value.

Additional Information

Z Energy prioritizes its people and fosters a supportive, flexible environment with a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and authentic belonging. The company holds Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick accreditations demonstrating its commitment to creating a workplace where all individuals can thrive. Values such as Whakatika (Move as One), Whakaora (Make it Happen), and Whakamana (Make it Count) underpin its culture.

We encourage applicants who align with our mission and values, even if they do not meet every single requirement, as we value diverse perspectives and experiences.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range from $166,000 to $210,500 per annum, complemented by a 15% short-term incentive plan based on company performance.
• 5% employer contribution to KiwiSaver retirement savings plan.
• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage for you and your family through Southern Cross.
• Generous leave entitlements, including enhanced sick leave, parental leave, and an option to purchase additional leave.
• Flexible work arrangements with a hybrid model, allowing a blend of home and office working.
• Opportunities for personal growth via learning from industry experts and access to upskilling and career development.
• Two days annually dedicated to community volunteering under the "Good in your Hood" program.