Design & Infrastructure Manager - 12-month fixed term

* Lead infrastructure design and service performance * Shape secure, resilient technology services * People, vendor and stakeholder leadership Transpower’s purpose is to empower the energy future for New Zealand - a future that delivers a net-zero carbon economy and a reliable and secure electricity system.
At the forefront of the energy sector, Transpower is the regulated state-owned enterprise that owns and operates the national electricity transmission system and fulfils the role of system operator. With over $5 billion in critical infrastructure assets, we play a pivotal role in connecting electricity generators to users and distribution networks across Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Role Context
In this 12-month fixed-term role, you’ll lead the capability, design, governance and performance of Transpower’s infrastructure and end-user service environment. You’ll ensure our core infrastructure, datacentre, compute, storage and end-user services remain reliable, secure, resilient and fit for purpose, while guiding technology roadmaps and operational improvements that support future workforce and business needs.
About the team
The Infrastructure and End-User Services team sits within our Information Services and Technology (IST) Division and is responsible for the provision of network, core infrastructure including datacentres, compute and storage, and end-user services. The team manages and maintains platforms to agreed service levels, supports delivery of the capital programme, drives continuous improvement, and plays a key role in incident, major incident and problem resolution where the core infrastructure environment is impacted.
Reporting to the Infrastructure and End-User Services Manager, this Wellington-based 12-month fixed-term role leads a team of approximately 5 to 10 direct reports, with outsourced partners and contractors engaged as required, and works closely with IST leaders, Strategy and Architecture, Security, Applications, Delivery teams, business stakeholders, vendors and managed service providers.
The Opportunity
As Infrastructure and Design Manager, you’ll provide technology leadership across infrastructure lifecycle management, operational governance, design assurance, vendor performance and service management capability. You’ll translate business needs into clear roadmaps, investment priorities and practical service improvement initiatives that balance resilience, risk, customer experience and cost effectiveness.
You’ll lead the design and delivery of scalable, sustainable infrastructure solutions aligned to enterprise architecture standards, security requirements, operational support models and lifecycle management practices. You’ll also govern service management processes, service performance, service data quality and operational controls to support reliable and sustainable service delivery.
This is a pivotal fixed-term leadership opportunity in an organisation central to New Zealand’s energy future. If you enjoy leading people through change, building trusted partnerships, strengthening vendor and commercial performance, and improving how enterprise technology services are designed, governed and delivered — this role is for you!
The interesting work you’ll be involved in will include: * Developing and communicating infrastructure roadmaps aligned to organisational priorities and enterprise architecture * Leading reliable, secure and high-performing infrastructure and end-user services through robust lifecycle planning and operational governance * Providing design governance and assurance for infrastructure solutions, operational support arrangements and service management capabilities * Driving continuous improvement, standardisation and automation to improve quality, efficiency and customer experience * Ensuring new technology capabilities transition into sustainable operational support models with clear accountabilities * Establishing strong vendor, service provider and technology partner relationships that deliver measurable service, commercial and business outcomes * Identifying and managing operational, technology and vendor-related risks, including resilience, recovery and service continuity arrangements * Leading and developing an inclusive, high-performing team culture where people are supported, accountable and continuously building capability What will you bring? You’ll bring enterprise technology leadership experience, sound commercial judgement and a pragmatic, service-focused approach. You’ll be confident operating in complex technology environments, influencing senior stakeholders, holding vendors to account and leading teams through change while maintaining a strong focus on reliability, security, resilience and customer outcomes.
Skills and experience we’ll assess (please provide examples): * Experience leading enterprise technology infrastructure, end-user services, or related technology functions. * Experience managing complex technology services delivered through internal teams and managed service providers. * Experience delivering technology change, service improvement and infrastructure lifecycle initiatives in a large organisation. * Experience managing vendor relationships, commercial outcomes and service performance in outsourced or multi-supplier environments. * Experience governing operational risk, resilience, recovery and service continuity within critical technology environments. * Experience leading and developing high-performing teams through change and growth. What’s advantageous but not essential:
ITIL certification or equivalent service management capability. * A relevant tertiary qualification in Information Technology, Engineering, Business or a related discipline. * Ongoing professional development demonstrating contemporary technology and leadership practice. * Experience working in critical infrastructure, utilities, regulated environments or similarly high-assurance enterprise settings. Join us at Transpower! Aotearoa, New Zealand is powered by the people who work here. Every home, every marae, every electric vehicle, every hospital relies on the electricity we manage and deliver. This is your opportunity to join us on a mission that affects all New Zealanders, the planet, and the economy.
With over 28 nationalities, our people provide diverse perspectives, knowledge, and deep and varied experience which they love to share and which we celebrate. We work in the office or on-site for a minimum of three days each week, which helps us build and maintain relationships, support learning, deliver outcomes, and sustain our culture. This approach also offers staff the flexibility they need for both work and personal commitments, with adaptable daily start and finish times.
We prioritise employee wellbeing with a range of health and wellness benefits - check them out here: https://www.transpower.co.nz/about-us/careers-transpower/staff-benefits
Next Steps To understand more about the breadth of our work at Transpower - check out our Integrated Report 2506 Transpower Integrated Report FY25, ICT Strategy ICT Strategy and review the position description for this role.
To take ownership of this 12-month fixed-term Infrastructure and Design Manager opportunity, please apply without delay.
Role closes: Tuesday 11th, August. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and conversations may commence prior to the close date.
Existing eligibility to work in Aotearoa New Zealand is required.