Principal Project Manager

Tēnei tūranga – About the role

The Principal Project Manager will be responsible for delivering large, complex, critical and/or transformational Government Property office projects within the agreed parameters of scope, time, budget, quality, and risk, to realise the identified benefits.   The role will ensure that the best practice project management tools and methodologies are used, material remains relevant, and that quality reporting is appropriately developed and shared with Project Governance groups.

The Principal Project Manager will have excellent communication and stakeholder management skills (in particular with central Government agencies) and will use these skills to build and maintain strong relationships with project stakeholders and relevant senior stakeholders across Government, at all levels.

The role will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including senior public servants, developers, property owners, developing relationships of trust and confidence in order to successfully scope and deliver governments’ property initiatives.

The Principal Project Manager will also work closely and collaboratively with the Manager Project Delivery and the Property Planning and Advisory team to provide advice and assistance on the development of proposed project initiatives.  This will ensure that the project aligns with the governments’ strategic property direction and that property decisions are considered from a regional and national perspective.

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• Demonstrated experience and capability in working within the NZ Government, central Government agencies and the public service in a client facing role.
• Proven track record of working within the public service, central NZ Government context and machinery of Government.
• Extensive experience in project and change management in the property and property related fields.
• Knowledge and understanding of Government office and office fit-out project management processes and delivery.
• Experience in the drafting of NZ Treasury better business cases to support the successful delivery of major property development projects.
• Proven experience in establishing and leading teams of consultants, contractors and NZ public service subject matter experts to plan and deliver successful project outcomes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and deal with change and uncertainty.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the NZ property environment.
• Sound experience, knowledge and understanding of the machinery of central Government in NZ.
• High degree of political nous and sensitivity.
• Excellent relationship management skills – able to establish, build, maintain and own effective working relationships with senior leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills – able to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely, adapt style to suit the needs of the audience and influence others to accept ideas/strategies. Proven ability to communicate with clients and consultants, interpreting project requirements.
• Highly developed organisational skills - able to operate autonomously while gaining the co-operation of others.
• Strong leadership coordinating design and technical teams.
• Strong commitment to attaining goals – target driven, generates new ideas, seeks solutions to problems before being asked, and takes action that goes beyond solving the immediate problem.
• Strong problem resolution and decision-making skills - able to clearly identify problems, seek alternative solutions, identify risks and benefits, seek input from others and make sound decisions based on these considerations.
• Financial management skills including an understanding of central Government funding system and appropriations processes.
• High level of ability in Word, MS Project and ideally MS Visio.

Responsibilities of this position are expected to change over time as the Government Property Group responds to changing needs.

The incumbent will need the flexibility to adapt and develop as the environment evolves. This includes performing any other reasonable duties as required.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification preferably in architecture, engineering, design, building services or project management or extensive and comparable experience in construction / property project delivery (5-7 years).
• Prince 2 or other recognised certification in project management preferred.
• Must have the right to live and work in New Zealand.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Strategic Planning

• Works collaboratively with the Manager Project Delivery to provide advice and guidance to GPG and the Property Planning and Advisory team in the development of proposed project initiatives to ensure that the project aligns with the governments’ strategic property direction and that property decisions are considered from a regional and national perspective.
• Uses past direct experience to participate in the development of Treasury better business cases to support the successful planning and delivery of projects.
• Assurance is provided that projects are fit for purpose, align with the direction of government property strategy, and Government Property Group, and the approach used meets internationally accepted project management best practice.
• The Principal Project Manager assists Government agencies with their strategic property resourcing and implementation.
• Provides intellectual thought leadership by bringing new ideas and knowledge to policy discussions and leads strategic conversations.

Project Management and Delivery

• Leads (as Client representative) the planning and delivery of large, complex, critical and/or transformational Government Property projects from concept through to delivery.
• Understands the machinery and workings of central Government, the public service and Government agencies and applies this knowledge to ensure successful project planning and delivery.
• The advice and guidance provided by the Principal Project Manager is considered, pragmatic, innovative, consistent and meets or exceeds agency and government property requirements.
• A strong understanding of the New Zealand property market, property trends and commercial reality is demonstrated in the approach taken to project delivery of the government’s and agencies property requirements.
• Complex commercial and property situations are analysed, solutions identified and appropriate actions implemented.
• Actively demonstrates an ability to deliver the optimum commercial or property outcome while demonstrating best government practice following proceseses, procudures, standards and guidelines.
• The use of project management framework and role modelling of smart practice project management disciplines is actively demonstrated.
• Key all-of-government project documents such as project briefs, business cases, implementation and cost benefit plans etc. are developed and maintained to a high standard that meet or exceeds stakeholder expectations and are consistant with industry best practise.
• Projects are regularly reviewed and reported on to ensure ontrack delivery in line with scope, time, cost and quality expectations.
• Financial expenditure for projects is monitored, managed and reported on.
• Project and government risks are actively identified, highlighted, managed and reported on.
• Carries out research and analysis into areas that may cause concern or indicate risks.
• Completes regular reporting to Project and Organisational Governance that clearly defines the status of each project being delivered.

Communication, Relationship Management and Stakeholder Engagement

• Understands the machinery and workings of central Government, the public service and Government agencies and applies this knowledge to deliver enhanced stakeholder engagement and related otucomes.
• Provides information and is responsive to stakeholders, producing required reports, and communicates with suppliers and other external stakeholders to ensure a consistent and integrated approach across the Agencies.
• Builds and maintains and often owns positive, proactive and effective relationships with stakeholders across government and industry using highly developed influencing, negotiation, collaboration skills and experience.
• Leads the Management of effective relationships to progress project delivery and build the Government Property Groups’s reputation with our key stakeholders and where necessary ensure any conflict between parties is resolved, with a strong focus on contractual responsibilities and formal accountability and governance relationships.
• Maintains high level of communication with the key project stakeholders.
• Takes a leadership role in internal or external meetings as appropriate.
• Represents Government Property Group and MBIE at senior levels across government, both at an agency and Ministerial level where required.
• Government Property Group views are represented and its reputation protected in any interactions.

People Leadership

• Coaches, mentors and supports project team and departmental team capability development.
• Coaches and mentors agency project managers and executive team members as necessary to ensure quality project and change management.
• Leads project teams and understands and utilises the capability of team members to deliver high quality project outputs.
• Leads and facilitates the appropriate skills and people to deliver on the strategic direction of Government Property Group and to influence government agencies to adopt best procurement and property practice.
• Exemplary management and leadership behaviours are modelled, in line with MBIE and State Sector ethics and values.
• Opportunities are sought to build and maintain effective working relationships with other Public Service managers and staff in order to transfer knowledge and learning to the wider organisation.
• Support of project delivery is provided across NZGP for non-property projects where those projects would benefit from the rigour of a project management approach and methodology.

Wellbeing, health and safety

• Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensures own and others safety at all times.
• Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
• Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
• Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.

Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry

The Principal Project Manager position reports into the Manager Project Delivery within the Government Property branch. The branch sits within the Building, Resources and Markets group.

More information about MBIE’s structure

To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand

Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.

To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.

As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).

Ngā matatau – Our competencies

Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.

Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.

Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.

Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.

Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.

Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.

Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service

Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.

In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.

What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission