Project Manager - Scheduling | Wellington

Job Description

This role is a fixed term position in response to increased demand within our high priority work programmes. We are surging in people and resources in response to these priorities.

Mō te tūranga mahi | About the role 

The Planning System Transformation Office (PSTO) is delivering one of the most significant system changes in recent times. The PSTO coordinates integrated planning, dependencies, reporting, and delivery support across the programme.  We're looking for an experienced Project Manager – Scheduling to play a pivotal role in enabling this transformation on fixed term/secondment through to 11 December 2026.

As our Project Manager – Scheduling, you'll be the key steward of the integrated programme schedule. You'll ensure that milestones, dependencies, risks, and resource impacts are visible and well‑understood, enabling confident decision‑making across the programme.

What you will do:

• Build, maintain, and continuously optimise the integrated programme schedule.
• Maintain visibility of milestones, critical paths, dependencies, and risks.
• Conduct schedule impact assessments for change requests and emerging issues.
• Prepare schedule reporting for governance forums, steering committees, and senior leaders.
• Provide clear, concise schedule narratives to support informed decision‑making.
• Ensure alignment between the schedule, programme roadmap, and delivery reporting.
• Identify and track dependencies across workstreams and agencies.
• Highlight risks related to slippage, sequencing, and resourcing.
• Provide forward‑looking insights and early warning indicators.
• Maintain fit‑for‑purpose scheduling tools and standards
• Coach others to build scheduling capability.
• Contribute to PMO frameworks, templates, and best‑practice guidance.
• Deliver clear, accessible schedule updates for diverse audiences.
• Support project leads to understand scheduling responsibilities and impacts.
• Communicate complex scheduling information in simple, engaging ways.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience   

What you'll bring:

• Experience in project or programme scheduling within large, complex environments.
• Strong knowledge of scheduling methodologies, critical path analysis, baselining, and variance analysis.
• Expertise using tools such as MS Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, or Planview.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication skills, especially simplifying complexity for stakeholders.
• Experience in a PMO or programme‑level environment.
• A collaborative mindset and relationship‑building skills.
• An understanding of the machinery of government and public‑sector delivery.

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range  

Salary range for this role is $110,501 to $134,128 pa.  Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.  

Ngā hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE  

• a flexible working approach to embrace a healthy work-life blend 
• agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as ‘One MfE' 
• active employee networks including Māori Rōpū, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network 
• opportunities for development and education.           

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.  

Tono ināianei | Apply now  

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.  Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.     

If you require further information about this position please contact Sally Morison at sally.morison@mfe.govt.nz.  The position description is available via our careers centre www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs.  

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home.  As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business.  We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best.   

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture.  We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.  We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.   

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all.  Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.  Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.  

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.  

Note: for internal permanent kaimahi who are applying for a secondment, you must speak with your Manager before submitting your application.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:   Sunday 1st March 2026 @ 5pm