Project Director (3-year fixed term)

Project Director (3-year fixed term)

• Oversee all aspects of construction governance, including risk, quality, contracts, and supplier performance.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to ensure successful, on-time, and on-budget project outcomes.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and change communication while managing a team of Project Managers.

Lead the delivery of high-priority construction projects across the Pacific as part of MFAT’s Major Capital Works Programme.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Construction Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of construction delivery, including stakeholder engagement, programme governance, risk and contract management quality assurance and supplier performance. This is a 3-year fixed-term opportunity.  

Key duties include:

• Lead contract establishment and standardisation
• Lead commercial negotiations
• Support effective management of project, programme, and budget documentation
• Manage programme governance as the interface with the key stakeholders and Capital Project Control Group
• Manages all programme reporting, including central agency reporting requirements, risk management, business case compliance and benefit realisation reporting.

For more detail you can view a copy of the position description here.

The Ministry will consider all applications and the final renumeration offer will be determined by the successful applicant’s capability and experience.

 Who are we looking for? - Mā‎ wai te mahi nei?

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced senior leader with the following skills and experience:

• Understanding and implementation of project management methodology, practices and systems is beneficial
• Good qualitative, quantitative analysis and financial management skills
• A tertiary qualification in construction, or equivalent experience in a similar role.
• Soundtrack record of at least 15 years in senior construction management or equivalent roles, preferably in a vertical construction project/programme delivery environment
• Experience managing construction projects in remote locations such as the Pacific would be desirable.
• Experience of construction contracting and administration including the use of NZS3910, NZS3916 and FIDIC.
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.      

Why MFAT? - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission.  Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging.  We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

About us - Mō mātou

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.  By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand’s interests and pursue New Zealand's values.  We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world. 

To Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

Please email any queries to recruitment@mfat.govt.nz

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen, or Permanent Resident. 

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Confidential security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidential clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Please Let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at 6pm on Tuesday 22nd July 2025.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.  This is a ‘Corporate’ role (known here as a specialist role based in central Wellington, NZ.  

While it is not usual for specialist staff to be ‘posted’ outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.