Digital Change Manager - LWDW

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Tauranga City Council is seeking a Digital Change Manager to lead the change management workstream for a major digital transformation across the water sector. This fixed-term role through 2026, with potential extension, focuses on ensuring people are ready for and confident using new platforms, delivering practical communication, training and engagement that align with programme milestones. You’ll design and adapt a change plan, collaborate with the programme manager and subject matter experts, lead leader driven change, shape communications for different audiences, develop training materials, run workshops and monitor adoption post go live. To apply, demonstrate proven digital transformation change leadership, familiarity with Prosci ADKAR or Kotter and flexibility in applying frameworks, highlight senior stakeholder influence, local government or utilities experience, ability to work onsite in Tauranga, and a track record of collaboration and delivering measurable outcomes. Apply online by 22 February; ensure NZ work rights and contact Richard Lennox for more information if needed.

Tau ake rā te moana nei, e papaki kau ana ki te ākau tangata, kakenga waka ka mauru te tohu ki te arearenga o Mauao, he pou herenga mōu, he pou hononga mōu, kia herea ki te tika, kia herea ki te pono. Kia mau, kia ita, kia ū – haumi e, hui e, tāiki e!

Te Tūranga | About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Digital Change Manager to join a specialist programme team delivering a major digital transformation across the water sector.

This role exists to make sure people are ready for, supported through, and confident using new digital platforms and processes. You’ll lead the change approach for TCC, ensuring communication, training, and engagement activities are practical, timely, and aligned to programme delivery outcomes.

This is a fixed‑term role until the end of 2026, with potential for extension through 2027, ideal for someone who enjoys working in complex environments, partnering with leaders, and helping organisations successfully transition to new ways of working.

What you’ll be doing

• Design and deliver a clear change management approach and plan aligned to programme milestones
• Work in partnership and full collaboration with the programme manager, other change managers, programme team members and subject matter experts when developing and delivering change activities
• Adapt the change plan as needed, as the programme unfolds and programme challenges emerge
• Shape and lead communication and engagement activities so people understand what’s changing, why, and what it means for them
• Create targeted communications for different audiences and support leaders to cascade messages effectively
• Assess change impacts and readiness, identifying risks and addressing resistance early
• Engage leaders in a ‘leader-led change’ approach, ensuring leaders proactively resolve emerging change issues
• Develop and lead the training approach and plan across affected user groups, working with subject matter experts to develop practical learning materials
• Facilitate workshops and 1-1 sessions to help leaders and teams prepare for and transition through change
• Monitor change adoption, feedback, and sentiment post go‑live, and help address barriers to success

You’ll work as part of a collaborative, multi‑organisation programme team, contributing to shared outcomes across the partner councils.

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

You’ll bring strong change leadership experience and a practical, people‑centred approach. Ideally, you’ll have:

• Proven experience leading change in digital transformation or large system implementations
• A solid understanding of change management principles and frameworks (e.g. Prosci / ADKAR, Kotter)
• Willingness to adapt these frameworks, applying them flexibly, to suit the programme context and changing needs
• Experience developing and delivering change, communication, and training plans
• Confidence working with senior leaders and influencing across diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong facilitation skills and experience running workshops and engagement sessions
• The ability to translate complex change into clear, plain‑language messages
• Track record of strong teamwork and collaboration with stakeholders, programme leaders, other change managers and subject matter experts
• Experience working in local government, utilities, or large public‑sector organisations (highly beneficial)

Most importantly, you’ll be collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast‑paced programme environment where things evolve.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | About Tauranga City Council

Tauranga City Council is one of Tauranga’s largest employers, and we are always looking to attract great talent to join our driven, passionate, and community-focused team.

We always strive to ensure that you feel valued and supported in the workplace.

To highlight that our people are our greatest asset, we offer a wide range of benefits that include 5 weeks annual leave, flexible hours and work from home options, as well as career development opportunities.

You can find out more about working at Tauranga City Council here.

Te Tukanga | How to apply

If you want to be part of an energetic, fun, and supportive team, then we'd love to hear from you. For more information, please contact Richard Lennox at [email protected] 

Please note we will not be accepting applications via email. If you wish to apply, please click ‘Apply’ at the bottom of this page and follow the link.

Applications will close Sunday 22nd February

We’re committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities.
If you need any support or adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.
• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.

Job Description: Digital Change Manager - LWDW