Capital Portfolio Performance Lead

Unlock Your Career Potential at Rotorua Lakes Council

Are you driven by strategic oversight, strong governance, and portfolio-wide impact? Rotorua Lakes Council is seeking a Capital Portfolio Performance Lead to champion effective delivery across our capital projects. This is your opportunity to shape strategic investment, strengthen assurance practices, and support long-term planning that truly benefits the Rotorua community.

About Rotorua Lakes Council
Rotorua Lakes Council is one of the largest employers in Rotorua, dedicated to building a positive future for our district and its approximately 70,000 residents, with visitors numbering in the millions. We are committed to delivering high-quality community services and fostering a high-performance culture grounded in our core values: being innovative, helpful, respectful, engaging, inspiring, and contributing to biculturalism.

Role Purpose
The Capital Portfolio Performance Lead is responsible for strengthening governance and strategic oversight across Rotorua Lakes Council’s capital delivery programme. This role provides expert advice in compliance, assurance, and portfolio alignment to ensure capital projects meet Project Lifecycle Management system requirements and deliver against Council’s strategic objectives. The role also supports future investment planning by contributing to project ideation for the Long-Term Plan and optimising the capital portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee project governance and compliance across Council’s capital programme, ensuring adherence to the Project Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify risks and trends, and provide actionable insights to improve delivery outcomes.
• Ensure project documentation, risk assessments, and financial controls meet Council standards.
• Facilitate resolution of complex governance issues and support consistent quality assurance across approval processes.
• Prepare portfolio-level reporting for internal delivery teams, senior leaders, and governance forums.
• Contribute to strategic portfolio planning and continuous improvement by identifying systemic issues and supporting practical solutions.
• Act as a trusted advisor to project leaders and senior management, providing guidance on governance, assurance, and compliance.
• Collaborate with Finance, Risk, and Programme Management to embed integrated governance practices and improve forecasting accuracy.
• Engage with iwi, community representatives, and advocacy groups to build trust and proactively address delivery concerns.
• Support training and capability-building to strengthen organisational understanding of project governance and assurance.

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, project management, finance, or a related field.
• Relevant certification in project governance or project management frameworks (e.g. Prince2, MSP, MoP).
• At least 5 years’ experience in project governance, assurance, or portfolio management in a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of project management frameworks and quality assurance principles.
• Excellent communication skills, including report writing and presenting to senior stakeholders.

Preferred:

• Experience with financial oversight, compliance, and risk management in a project setting.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and advisory skills, including experience working across diverse groups and interests.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to align projects with organisational objectives.
• High-level analytical, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Experience working in or alongside the public sector, with knowledge of council governance and financial processes

Attributes:

• Highly organised with a keen attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• Confident facilitator and consensus-builder, capable of navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Collaborative and approachable, with the ability to provide trusted advisory support at all levels.
• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain momentum under pressure.
• Culturally responsive, with an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to working effectively in a bicultural environment.

Why Rotorua Lakes Council?
Joining Rotorua Lakes Council means being part of a team that is making a real difference in the community. You will have the opportunity to work in a thriving professional landscape while contributing to the future of Rotorua, a region known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. This is more than just a job, it’s an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.

If you’re passionate about lifting project performance and providing trusted guidance at every level — this role is made for you. Submit your CV along with a covering letter matching your experience against the skills and qualifications detailed above.

This vacancy closes on Friday 1 August 2025.

Please click here to view position description

Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may close prior to the advertised closing date.