Central City Transformation Manager

About the role

This position belongs to Hamilton City Council’s Strategy, Growth and Planning group, which is responsible for safeguarding long-term strategic planning and development. The team takes a city-and-region wide perspective, makes decisions that support inter-generational and environmental sustainability, and helps unlock business investment that leads to jobs, economic growth, and sustainable development.

The focus of the role is the future of Hamilton’s central city. This is a high-impact opportunity to contribute to city-shaping work, working with councillors, developers, businesses, iwi, and the wider community to turn a shared vision into practical outcomes.

Rather than simply managing delivery, this role helps define direction, align people and investment, and support the creation of a central city that is vibrant now and for future generations.

What you’ll do

As the Central City Transformation Manager, you will guide delivery of the Central City Transformation Plan and turn strategy into action. You will connect internal and external partners, remove roadblocks, and maintain momentum across a complex programme of work.

• Drive the long-term vision and oversee programme progress.
• Bring stakeholders together to solve issues and identify opportunities.
• Align Council and partner priorities, including investment decisions.
• Lead communication and engagement that builds confidence during change.
• Prepare insights, reports, and strategic recommendations for decision-makers.
• Work alongside organisations such as the Hamilton Central Business Association to deliver shared goals.

This is a role at the meeting point of strategy and implementation, where broad ideas must be translated into visible, real-world change.

Experience and capabilities

The Council is looking for a strategic, influential professional who can work effectively in complexity and bring others with them.

• Approximately 5 to 10 years of senior-level experience in programme delivery, urban development, or large-scale transformation.
• A strong record of delivering major programmes or projects, including responsibility for budgets.
• Experience working in environments where stakeholder relationships are central.
• Solid programme management capability, such as MSP or a comparable framework.
• Understanding of local government and development processes is an advantage.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing ability.
• Ability to connect strategic direction with practical delivery.
• Confident problem-solving skills and comfort with uncertainty.
• Commercial and strategic judgement focused on delivering value.
• Excellent communication skills for varied audiences.
• A self-starting, proactive approach.
• Curious, collaborative, and open in working style.
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable with change.

Pay and benefits

The salary is around $130,000, depending on skills and experience.

• Flexible working supported by an award-winning flexible work policy.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Two wellbeing days each year.
• Free health insurance through Unimed, including hospital and surgery cover, plus discounted family membership rates.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccinations.
• Option to buy extra annual leave.
• Reimbursement for eye tests and glasses costs.
• Discounts with local businesses, including gyms, cafes, dentists, hairdressers, and more.

Application notes

Applicants may include a cover letter by combining it with their resume into a single PDF, or by using the message box provided for the hiring team.

Applications close on 12/07/2026, and applications may be reviewed as they are received.

The Council is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi and values its relationships with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua, and maataa waka across Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be advised of the result by email. Shortlisted applicants should expect interviews, reference checks, and a criminal check, with additional background screening where relevant. Information about these checks, privacy commitments, and support for international applicants is available through the Council’s process.

The organisation will provide support for candidates with accessibility needs during interviews and assessments when notified in advance.

The Council promotes an inclusive workplace where people feel respected, valued, and able to belong, and it actively recognises the diverse perspectives and experiences individuals bring.

This vacancy is being recruited directly. If recruitment agency assistance is required, it will only be sourced through the Council’s approved agency panel, and unsolicited agency approaches will not be eligible for fees or commissions.