Contracts Lead

Role overview

This is a senior leadership position where you will help shape how Napier City Council plans, negotiates, administers, and improves its contracts across capital works, renewals, maintenance, and operational services. Your work will play a major role in strengthening delivery certainty, improving value for money, and lifting supplier performance across a broad and expanding portfolio.

As the Contracts Lead, you will act as the Council’s principal specialist in contract management and commercial governance. You will set the benchmark for how contracts are designed, managed, and closed out across their full lifecycle. Based within the EPMO, you will work closely with delivery teams to make sure contracts are well structured, risks are actively managed, and commercial decisions support successful project and operational outcomes.

This role suits someone who can move comfortably between strategy and hands-on delivery. You will collaborate with internal teams, contractors, consultants, and industry partners to build more effective ways of working while keeping compliance, performance, and commercial results in focus. You will also lead and coach a small team, helping create a supportive, collaborative, and high-performing environment.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the full contract management lifecycle for Council, covering strategy, contract creation, delivery, variations, and final close-out.
• Improve and maintain Council’s contract management frameworks, templates, tools, and governance processes.
• Develop stronger contract structures, supplier panels, alliances, and delivery models.
• Lead and support contract negotiations, risk management, and performance management across a range of Council agreements.
• Work alongside project, asset, and operational teams to strengthen accountability and improve delivery confidence.
• Lead contract assurance and audit activities, including responses to audits and funding assurance requirements such as NZTA, and help drive corrective actions where needed.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor, and support a capable contracts team while encouraging collaboration, accountability, and ongoing improvement.

About you

You will bring proven experience leading contracts, procurement, or commercial delivery in infrastructure, construction, or other complex operational settings. You will have strong commercial judgement and the confidence to manage risk, negotiations, and contract outcomes effectively.

You should be comfortable working in detail when needed, while also thinking strategically about how systems and frameworks can be improved. A collaborative working style is important, along with the ability to earn trust across teams, suppliers, and industry partners. You will also bring a practical, solutions-oriented mindset and leadership experience that helps others perform at their best through clear direction, support, and coaching.

Working arrangements

• This is a permanent, full-time role.
• The position is based in Napier.
• Working hours are 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Salary

The annual salary package is between $123,817 and $138,383, inclusive of KiwiSaver. The final offer will depend on your skills and experience.

What the Council offers

• Five weeks of annual leave after two years of service.
• Discounted health insurance through a workplace scheme, plus an eye test subsidy.
• Retail discounts and study assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program (OCP).
• Quarterly values awards, birthday vouchers, and a social club.
• Free annual flu vaccinations.
• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga and NCC Kapa Haka.
• Te Reo Māori language classes.

Additional information

Applications may be reviewed as they are received, and the role may close once the right candidate has been identified.

Napier City Council is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and aims to keep its hiring process fair and accessible. Support or adjustments can be provided during the application or interview process if required.

The Council’s success is supported by strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, and through its Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which develops cultural capability through education and training.

Before starting, successful candidates will need to complete pre-employment checks, which include criminal background screening. Some roles may also require health screening and drug and alcohol testing. Employees may also be asked to assist with Civil Defence emergencies when needed by the community.