Chief Executive Officer
Ashburton
- Drive innovation and growth, sustainability and community prosperity
- Lead the infrastructure that quietly powers the Mid Canterbury region
- Based in Ashburton
About the Company:
Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of water infrastructure in one of New Zealand’s most vital agricultural regions?
Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd (RDRML) is seeking a visionary, strategic and community-minded Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation in the delivery of reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective water services across Mid-Canterbury. From irrigation and hydroelectric generation to stock water systems, RDRML plays a critical role in supporting the region’s economy and environment.
A recent landmark report revealed RDRML supports:
- $612m in regional GDP annually
- Sustains more than 3,400 equivalent jobs
- Irrigates more than 100,000 hectares of productive farmland
About the Role
Reporting to the Chair of the Board, the CEO will lead a collegial and high-performing team and oversee all aspects of RDRML’s operations, including:
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement long-term strategies and annual plans aligned with RDRML’s purpose and Board direction.
- Infrastructure & Asset Management: Ensure the integrity, optimisation, and future development of water delivery systems.
- Regulatory & Environmental Stewardship: Manage consents, compliance, and engagement with regulatory bodies, iwi, and community stakeholders.
- Business Acumen: Lead budgeting, forecasting, and capital project delivery ensuring operational excellence with a continuous improvement focus.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build trusted relationships with shareholders, landowners, tangata whenua, government, and industry partners.
- Team Leadership: Foster a collegial, high-performance culture and develop staff capability.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for a seasoned executive with:
- Senior Management experience (minimum 10 years) in a similar or complementary industry with a proven track record of strategy implementation and delivery
- Strong people leadership, leading a collegial and tight-knit small team
- A working knowledge of the RMA, commercial contracts and the Irrigation sector
- Experience in a regulatory context, with a track record as a good custodian of consents
- Asset and infrastructure management experience
- Experience in risk management and mitigation including Health & Safety in an operations environment
- Experience in building stakeholder relationships and maintaining engagement with a diverse range of shareholders and stakeholders, including iwi
- Effective communication skills, and the ability to represent the organisation
- An improvement mindset, with skills in identifying new opportunities
- Connections with and an understanding of the local community
- A relevant tertiary or post-graduate qualification is desirable
- A willingness to live in the district would be an advantage.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a purpose-driven organisation with a proud legacy and a bold future. You’ll be at the forefront of water management innovation, environmental responsibility, and regional development.
If you are ready to make a lasting impact, apply now to lead RDRML into a future of sustainable water use and community prosperity.