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Take on the PMO Lead role with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand in Wellington, a full-time onsite, one-year fixed-term position guiding the Programme Management Office for a major digital transformation. You'll oversee governance, reporting, planning, financials and controls across a complex portfolio, lead a team of Project Coordinators, and partner with senior leaders to bring structure and transparency to large scale change. Success hinges on proven PMO leadership in a big programme, mastery of governance forums, risk and change management, budgeting, and strong stakeholder engagement. To apply, tailor a cover letter that links your experience to the role, cite measurable delivery outcomes, and demonstrate collaboration and communication with executives. Apply online by 6 August 2026; early applications encouraged, and accessibility support is available if needed.
At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don’t just keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation.
- Lead the Programme Management Office function for a significant business transformation programme
- Provide governance, reporting, planning and assurance across a complex portfolio of work
- Join a purpose-driven organisation delivering meaningful change for the future of New Zealand aviation
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced PMO Lead to join our Digital Transformation and Technology group on a fixed-term basis. This role is responsible for leading the Programme Management Office function across a complex programme of work, ensuring effective governance, reporting, planning, financial management, and programme controls.
As PMO Lead, you'll provide oversight and assurance across multiple projects and workstreams, while leading a team of Project Coordinators to support the successful delivery of programme outcomes. This is a highly visible role requiring excellent stakeholder engagement, strong governance expertise, and the ability to bring structure, transparency, and control to complex transformation initiatives.
About the Business Transformation Programme
This is your opportunity to get in at the start.
We are building a team to deliver a significant transformation that will shape the future of the organisation and the aviation sector. With strong executive support and a clear mandate for change, this is an opportunity to work on genuine transformation — not simply improve existing processes or deliver business as usual.
These roles are initially offered on a one-year fixed-term basis while the business case progresses through approval. We recognise that means taking a degree of risk. But for the right person, it is also a chance to get involved at the point where the programme is being shaped, make a meaningful contribution, and work on a transformation that is genuinely important.
If you are motivated by complex change and want to help build something significant, this is the time to get involved.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Project Coordination team across the transformation programme
- Establish and maintain programme governance, controls, standards, and reporting processes
- Manage programme governance forums, including agendas, papers, minutes, actions, and decision tracking
- Produce high-quality programme reporting, dashboards, and performance insights for governance groups and senior leaders
- Oversee programme-wide risk, issue, dependency, assumption, and change management processes
- Maintain integrated programme plans and monitor delivery against key milestones
- Support programme budgeting, forecasting, financial management, and reporting activities
- Drive consistency in project management practices across projects and workstreams
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across PMO processes, tools, and reporting frameworks
The salary band for this role is $115,536 - $141,751. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.
For more information on the role please view the position description.
What You'll Bring
If you're an experienced PMO professional who thrives in complex programme environments, enjoys bringing structure to large-scale change, and can confidently engage with senior stakeholders, this is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a significant organisational transformation.
To succeed in this role you'll demonstrate:
- Significant experience leading a PMO function within a large programme or portfolio environment
- Proven success managing programme governance, reporting, assurance, and controls
- Strong knowledge of project and programme management methodologies and best practice frameworks
- Experience managing programme budgets, forecasts, risks, issues, dependencies, and change control processes
- Demonstrated people leadership experience, including leading PMO or project support teams
- Strong organisational, planning, and coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Excellent analytical skills and the ability to identify emerging risks, trends, and delivery impacts
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, particularly when working with senior leaders and governance groups
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and project/programme management tools
About us
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.
Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.
Our values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration guide everything we do. We’re committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.
Why Join Us?
- Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
- Vision assistance
- Flu vaccinations
- Employee Assistance Programme
Ready to Apply?
If you're passionate about programme delivery, governance excellence, and enabling successful organisational transformation, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply directly by completing the online application form (please note emailed applications will not be considered). Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the skills required for this role.
We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.
If you have any questions about the role or application process, contact the Recruitment team at [email protected].
Applications close: 6 August 2026
Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.