General Manager
Hurunui, North Canterbury
- A rare opportunity to shape a new water services organisation from the ground up
- Lead the establishment of a jointly owned CCO serving 11,000+ households
- Create a lasting legacy for the Kaikōura and Hurunui communities
- Competitive remuneration
About The Role:
Kaikōura Hurunui Water Services is a new council-controlled organisation being established by Kaikōura and Hurunui District Councils under the Government's Local Water Done Well framework. This is a unique opportunity to lead the establishment and operation of a water services entity with assets exceeding $250 million.
Reporting to the Chair of the Board, you will be responsible for building the organisation's foundations, establishing robust systems and processes, and working alongside the Board to drive strategic direction. From 1 July 2026, you'll lead a team of approximately 40 FTE delivering water, wastewater and stormwater services across both districts.
This role demands someone comfortable operating in ambiguity, capable of creating the 'rule book' whilst balancing regulatory requirements with community needs. You'll recruit and lead a high-performing team, manage diverse stakeholder relationships, and ensure the CCO operates as a financially sustainable entity whilst maintaining service excellence.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading the establishment and transition of the new CCO, building organisational foundations from the ground up.
- Establishing systems, processes, policies and procedures for the new organisation.
- Working with both councils to develop service agreements for back-office support.
- Recruiting and building a high-performing team across multiple disciplines.
- Developing the organisation's first water services strategy.
- Managing day-to-day operations whilst ensuring compliance with all regulatory obligations.
- Balancing strategic leadership with hands-on operational management.
- Presenting credibly to diverse audiences from technical specialists to elected members and the public.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with councils, regulators, iwi, customers and communities.
What You’ll Bring
We're looking for an exceptional leader with:
- Proven leadership experience in establishing new organisations or leading significant organisational change.
- Infrastructure and network management expertise - whether in water, electricity, roading or similar networks.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including understanding of asset management and debt market operations.
- Experience leading service delivery in an organisation with significant infrastructure assets, ideally in a regulated industry.
- Proven ability to build high-performing teams and lead through ambiguity and change.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to engage credibly with boards, councils, regulators, iwi and communities.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills across diverse audiences.
- Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
- A relevant tertiary qualification in engineering, infrastructure management, business or related field.
Experience in local government, CCOs, utilities or infrastructure sectors would be highly valued. Knowledge of Te Ao Māori and the Local Water Done Well framework would be advantageous.
Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to shape a new organisation and create something meaningful for current and future generations. You'll have the chance to:
- Build an organisation from the ground up, establishing its culture, systems and ways of working.
- Make a genuine difference to water services delivery across two districts.
- Work with committed partners who are invested in the organisation's success.
- Lead a team that will serve communities for generations to come.
- Operate with genuine flexibility around location, with hybrid working options available for the right candidate.
About the Organisation:
Kaikōura Hurunui Water Services (trading name to be determined) is a joint CCO 100% owned by Kaikōura and Hurunui District Councils. Commencing operations from 1 July 2026, it will provide essential water services to more than 11,000 households with total assets exceeding $250 million and a team of around 40 FTE.