Kia mahi ngātahi mō Pōneke mō tōna āpōpō | Working together for Wellington's future. 

As a great harbour capital city, Wellington City Council has established a vision for Pōneke as an inclusive, sustainable, and creative capital for people to live, work and play. The future of Wellington is compact, inclusive & connected, greener, resilient, vibrant, and prosperous. 

Waste is now a mainstream environmental and sustainability challenge for all New Zealanders. It affects all of us on a micro level, at home and at work, and at the City Council level it is one of the major drivers of our carbon profile. This makes Waste Operations one of the most challenging and rewarding places to work in the Council. 

Our Waste, Water & Resilience team are ambitious, and we love it! Having adopted a zero-waste strategy for Wellington, this signals a significant shift in how we as a city think about waste, the services and infrastructure we provide, and how businesses, residents and the Council can contribute to making a difference for our city's environmental, societal, and economic future.

And to help the wider team continue this critical work, we're on the lookout for a Commercial Manager who's eager to drive change and innovation in one of the most exciting sectors of the future. At the Southern Landfill, nestled in Happy Valley, you'll play a key role in shaping Wellington's sustainable future. Your work will help us achieve our vision as an eco-city and contribute to our goals in the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.

This isn't just about managing numbers. You'll be at the heart of high-profile initiatives with the potential to make a real difference, working directly with the waste sector, senior Council staff, and regulatory bodies. Whether you're tackling complex problems or advising on business decisions, your work will have a lasting impact on the future of waste management in Wellington.

The Role & You:
As the Commercial Manager, you'll manage the commercial side of our operations, ensuring we meet our financial goals while also staying true to our eco-conscious values. You'll need to:

• Think Big - Understand the workings of an operational unit with a turnover of $30 million and find ways to improve, grow, and innovate.
• Be a Problem Solver - Waste management is a complex and ever-evolving field. You'll dive into tricky issues, identify risks, and develop strategies to help us stay ahead.
• Navigate the Regulations - Manage Council's obligations around the Emissions Trading Scheme and the Waste Minimisation Levy with ease, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Drive Strategic Planning - Lead the way in Waste Operations by overseeing asset management, business planning, procurement, and Long-Term Plan (LTP) processes. Align our operational and capital budgets and ensure we're working smarter.
• Lead Change - Waste is one of the most discussed and urgent environmental issues in New Zealand, and you'll be right at the forefront of the movement for positive change. This is a high-profile role, and your work will make Pōneke a greener, more resilient city for generations to come.

What We're Looking For:
We need someone who's not only technically skilled but also passionate and resilient, a strategic thinker with a sharp business acumen to play a key role in driving efficiency, cost savings, and value through expert procurement strategies and exceptional negotiation skills. To thrive in this role, you'll bring:

• Experience in the Waste Sector - Whether you've worked in waste management or a related industry, you'll understand the ins and outs of the business. You'll have a strategic mindset and the ability to solve problems creatively.
• Strong Financial Management Skills - We're talking about managing multi-million-dollar budgets, so you'll need a sharp eye for detail and experience in financial oversight. Bonus points if you've worked in a contractor management environment.
• A Deep Understanding of Local Government - You'll need to navigate through legislation and regulations like a pro. If you've worked with local councils before, that's a big plus but more important to us is your commercial experience!
• A Bachelor's Degree - Ideally in a relevant field such as business, finance, environmental science, or something similar. But what's more important is your ability to bring practical, real-world expertise to the table.
• A Love for Problem-Solving and People - This role requires a natural collaborator who's comfortable working with a diverse range of stakeholders. Whether it's internal teams, contractors, or the public, you'll need to build relationships and keep things running smoothly.
• Resilience and Tenacity - Waste management can be a tough, high-pressure environment. But if you're the kind of person who thrives under pressure, can pivot when needed, and keep your eyes on the bigger picture, we want you on our team.

Why Join Us?

• Make an Impact - Your work will directly contribute to creating a more sustainable future for Pōneke. Be a part of something bigger than just a job.
• Diverse Challenges - Every day is different in this role. You'll be solving problems, building relationships, and driving change.
• Great Team Culture - We're a fun, supportive, and passionate team who are all working toward the same goal: making Pōneke a greener, more sustainable place to live.

About us
Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities. We are an inclusive and diverse workplace, and we really care about our employees. We have a welcoming and respectful culture where you are supported to achieve your best. 

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you! Applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Elliott, Manager Waste Operations, at jennifer.elliott@wcc.govt.nz

Applications close 31st of March 2025 but don't delay, candidates will be reviewed as they apply, and this role may close early if suitable applicants are found.

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: recruitment@wcc.govt.nz