Transport Team Leader - Engineering Services

Role Overview

Tauranga City Council seeks an experienced technical leader to head the Engineering Services Team within the Transport Division. This pivotal leadership role combines technical expertise and people management, guiding a team of skilled engineers who contribute to the planning, delivery, and ongoing enhancement of Tauranga’s transport network.

The role involves collaboration on major projects, infrastructure programs, land development, network safety, and strategic planning, ensuring transport outcomes prioritize safety, practicality, and future-readiness. It demands liaising with internal teams, consultants, developers, and community members to provide trusted advice, influence technical decisions, and deliver impactful transport solutions.

Operating in a dynamic and complex environment where priorities may shift, this position requires calmness under pressure, sound judgment, and the ability to lead through complexity with clarity and confidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing group of transport engineering professionals.
• Deliver specialist transport engineering guidance across projects, programs, and strategic initiatives.
• Manage investigations into network performance, safety, and operational issues, formulating evidence-based solutions.
• Guide the creation and application of transport engineering standards, guidelines, and best practices.
• Provide robust technical support for business cases, program development, and long-term planning.
• Assist project teams with engineering input on renewals, safety enhancements, and land development.
• Collaborate closely with planners, project managers, asset managers, safety coordinators, developers, and external partners to promote practical, well-informed decisions.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement, and deliver value-for-money outcomes.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field, or an equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams and developing personnel.
• Extensive background in transport engineering, traffic engineering, transport safety, or infrastructure delivery.
• Strong knowledge of transport engineering standards, safety-in-design principles, and applicable legislation.
• Proven ability to apply transport engineering expertise in project, planning, development, and operational settings.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to convey complex technical matters clearly and build trusted relationships to influence outcomes.
• Political awareness and practical judgment to balance technical details with broader community interests.
• Local government experience and knowledge of resource consent and development processes are advantageous.

Additional Information

Tauranga City Council influences the city’s growth and daily operations, offering a collaborative, forward-thinking, and community-oriented workplace with 5 weeks annual leave, flexible working hours, and career progression opportunities.

The recruitment process requires applicants to have legal rights to live and work in New Zealand. The council welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities, and does not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies.

Applying

Applications must be submitted online and will close on Sunday 13th September. Support for recruitment adjustments is available upon request via the council’s Talent Acquisition team.