Principal Standards Project Manager

Tēnei tūranga – About the role

As a Principal Standards Project Manager, you are responsible for managing the successful completion of assigned large and complex development projects in a wide range of technical areas. Typically, these are New Zealand standards, a significant number of which relate to building and construction and are cited by the New Zealand Building Code, others range across different sectors and subject matters. You will provide effective coordination, relationship management and stakeholder engagement, manage project budgets, resources, consistently deliver expected results, and implement quality management practices and processes across your work. The Principal Project Manager Standards Development will often also undertake and lead business analysis and other specialist functions as needs arise. The Principal Project Manager Standards Development will bring their specialist perspectives to work in partnership with the Manager, Standards Development and National Manager, members of the Standards Development team, and team members from the wider Standards New Zealand.

This highly collaborative role will build and maintain strategic relationships with key project stakeholders, other government agencies, key industry organisations, and the broader sector, and work cross-functionally to support a wide range of operational priorities.

The Principal Project Manager Standards Development will contribute to the development and delivery of standards solutions utilising project management expertise, methodology and disciplines. You will influence outcomes and help negotiate and secure contracts providing standards products and services.

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• 7+ years of proven project management experience ideally in managing large or complex projects, with multiple parties.
• Sound and applied knowledge of best practice project management disciplines and techniques that support effective project delivery.
• A relevant project management qualification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience leading high-profile projects within a government or private sector context.
• Mentoring or coaching skills to embed a culture of excellence in the team.
• Relevant experience of delivering to clients through contracted service arrangements.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks when under pressure, establish, review and track progress of project deliverables and produce regular reporting.
• Sound judgement, integrity and discretion, particularly around risk management.
• A methodical approach to work, including suggestions to improve established procedures.
• Demonstrated cross-sector stakeholder engagement experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the formal processes for managing projects from contract signing through to implementation.
• Evidence of using well-developed influencing and diplomacy skills to achieve consensus decision making and effective outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience of working with senior leaders across organisations and internationally.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to communicate complex concepts to a range of stakeholders.
• Self-motivation and persistence in challenging frameworks and pushing hard issues, but with good judgement in identifying when to pull back on issues.
• Proven ability to build highly effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to use communication and information technology systems and methods, including MS Word, MS Project, MS Excel, databases, MS Power Point.
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Through project management support Standards New Zealand delivery of its statutory functions as the national standards body of New Zealand.

• Work as a senior member of the Standards Development Team, reporting to the Manager Standards Development. Work closely with standards development chairs and committee members to ensure the delivery of the projects to time, cost and quality expectations.
• Oversees and manage all aspects of Standards New Zealand assigned development projects from scoping and initiation to publication, closure and review, to the required scope, budget, timeframes, and development processes and statutory and internationally recognised protocols.
• Oversees the application of sound project management practices to all activities directly controlled by the project.
• Ensures that risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies that affect the project, are identified and managed, and escalated risks and issues to the Manager Standards Development as required.
• Develops the project change management process and ensures that changes to requirements as a result of operational, or other, issues are submitted by the requestor for the change into this process.
• Establishes approvals required across the project and manages progressive approvals in a timely manner.
• Ensures that prompt action is taken in the event that any aspect of the project appears to be likely to fail to achieve the objectives, budget and baseline time schedule.
• Defines the benefits management process as part of the Project Management Plan and ensures that this is effective.
• Holding a project completion review before the Project Team/Committee is dispersed, to define the causes and lessons of the Project successes and problems.
• Ensures that budgets and financial records are reconciled and accounts are closed in an orderly manner and at the appropriate time.
• Ensures that the systems, processes and people comply with mandatory legal or business requirements.
• Sets up and implements Quality Assurance arrangements as identified in the Project Management Plan and Standards NZ’s quality management system.
• Provides key input into marketing and communication activities.
• Actively participates in providing a high quality of service to customers, committee members and staff.
• Develops and maintains cooperative, partnering relationships with Standards New Zealand’s clients, key sector stakeholders, nominating organisations, and other outside organisations.
• Supports the researching of and qualification of business opportunities.
• Manages projects within the operating procedures and in line with PRINCE2 project management methodology.
• Provides timely reporting on all aspects of current projects as defined within the project plan.
• Manages the selection of and committee membership to ensure a balanced cross section of representation relative to the project.
• Provides information and facilitates the effective participating of committee members.
• Ensures all project work is carried out in accordance with WTO, ISO/IEC, statutory and regulatory requirements and Standards New Zealand internal processes.
• Provides operational support to the Manager Standards Development and assists with stakeholder engagement and client/account management, as a Standards Development subject matter expert where required.
• Plays a senior role in mentoring and supporting the Standards Development team on operational and stakeholder issues faced.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across Standards New Zealand, especially publishing, finance, marketing, project coordination and administration staff.

Self-management

• Models positive behaviours.
• Models the desired values and culture of the organisation.
• Willingly shares knowledge, expertise and within the team and with others in the organisation.
• Acts with honesty and integrity.
• Welcomes feedback and is receptive to input from others.

Organisational commitment and public service

Role models the standards of Integrity and Conduct for the State Services. Contributes to the development of, and helps promote and builds commitment to MBIE’s vision, mission, values and services by:

• Willingly undertaking any duty required within the context of the position.
• Managing own personal health and safety, and takes appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents.
• Understanding Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) principles and the application of these to MBIE.
• Complying with all legislative requirements and good employer obligations.

Wellbeing, health and safety

• Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
• Ensures own and others safety at all times.
• Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
• Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
• Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.

Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry

The Principal Standards Project Manager position reports into the Manager Standards Development within Standards New Zealand, Market Integrity branch, Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery group. For information on Standards NZ refer Who we are :: Standards New Zealand(external link)

More information about MBIE’s structure

To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand

Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.

To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.

As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).

Ngā matatau – Our competencies

Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.

Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.

Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.

Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.

Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.

Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.

Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service

Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.

In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.

What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission