Manager Leadership and Talent
Shape leadership capability and succession across NZTA
Lead enterprise-wide talent, assessment, and leadership development strategy
Build future-ready leadership pipelines that deliver for New Zealand
Shape, Grow, and Strengthen Leadership Capability
Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity
As the Manager - Leadership & Talent, you will lead NZTA Waka Kotahi’s approach to leadership development, talent, and succession.
Reporting to the Head of Learning & Organisational Development, this is a newly created and strategically important role that reflects NZTA’s increased focus on leadership capability. We are establishing this role to bring more dedicated resource and a more joined-up approach to leadership development, talent, and succession across the organisation. This role will set the direction for how these elements work together to strengthen leadership depth and readiness.
You’ll bring together leadership development, assessment, and succession insights to strengthen leadership capability as a key lever for organisational performance.
Working across the business, you will partner with senior leaders, capability specialists, and external providers to design and embed practical, high-quality development solutions at scale.
Key responsibilities
Lead NZTA’s leadership development approach, including core pathways and priority initiatives
Establish clear succession and talent governance to strengthen leadership pipelines
Drive talent identification and leadership assessment approaches (e.g. 360 feedback, self-assessment)
Manage leadership development solutions, including external providers and market engagement
Ensure leadership development is connected to broader talent and succession processes so leaders are supported consistently across the employee lifecycle
Strengthen the leadership capability that underpins organisational performance, decision making, and readiness for the future
Provide insights and reporting on leadership capability, succession health, and development impact
Lead and develop a high-performing team, building capability and setting clear priorities
To view a copy of position description, click here.
Ko koe tēnei | About you
What you’ll bring to the role:
You are a strategic leader with a passion for building leadership capability at scale. You bring a strong organisational development lens, combined with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and deliver practical, well-governed solutions in complex environments.
You will also bring:
Significant experience shaping leadership development and organisational capability strategies
Strong expertise in succession planning, talent governance, and leadership assessment
Experience selecting and managing external providers and development solutions
Proven ability to connect leadership development with broader talent and succession processes in a cohesive way
Strong analytical capability—able to turn insights into clear, actionable outcomes
Credibility and confidence in working with senior leaders across complex organisations
Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
A collaborative, business partnering approach with a focus on impact and delivery
You’ll also demonstrate, or be willing to develop, an understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as they apply in the public sector.
Mō mātou | About us
At NZTA Waka Kotahi, we’re working to deliver a transport system that serves all New Zealanders—now and into the future.
Our Pūmanawa Tāngata (People and Safety) group enables this by building the capability, systems, and culture needed to perform today and evolve for tomorrow. The Learning and Organisational Development team plays a critical role in driving leadership and workforce capability uplift across the organisation.
We offer flexibility (Wellington or Auckland preferred) and the opportunity to shape leadership capability at an enterprise level—making a real difference for NZTA and Aotearoa.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
Click apply to upload your CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.
Rā Katinga | Applications close:
6 July 2026For further information, email: careers@nzta.govt.nz
To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.
Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.