Senior Project Controls Manager

At Frequency, we partner with clients to plan and deliver major projects that shape our motu. We’re on the look-out for a Senior Project Controls Manager to lead the project controls function on exciting projects, contribute across different sectors, and grow both your technical depth and consulting capability.

What success looks like:

We met with Blake Mitchell, Head of Project Controls at Frequency, to understand what success looks like to him: "Success to me looks like a well-informed client project team where our timely & integrated project data is informing decision making and giving early warning of issues. In my mind, the key success marker is where the client sees us as part of their team rather than as an external consultant because of a few key reasons: a) we embed ourselves to understand their key drivers and defend the client's position as if it were our own, and b) we take true ownership to chase information and produce useful insights in projects that often have incomplete or poor information. From the Frequency angle, success looks like a strong client relationship, and where the role is leading and leveraging a team."

You’ll be leading small team(s) to manage the project controls function on some of Aotearoa’s most exciting major projects – airports, motorways, railways, wind farms, water networks, etc. You’ll need to be strong both technically to lead the various disciplines, but also a strong consultant to lead the commission and grow your network to win work.

What you’ll focus on:

• Using your leadership and influencing skills, you will guide project teams, challenges assumptions constructively, take ownership, and drive accountability. Becomes the trusted advisor for the client and proactively identify issues and generate solutions. People management skills are a must as you’ll need to lead a team of both Frequency and client project controls specialists.
• Actively build and maintain strong client relationships to grow your network and win work.
• Present complex cost, schedule and risk information clearly to clients, adopting to suit the audience’s needs.
• Bring your strong cost, schedule and risk management expertise to provide clarity around budgeting, forecasting, earned value management (EVM), critical path scheduling and risk management processes.
• This role will manage subject matter experts who operate project controls tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project, Excel/Power BI, and cost control or ERP systems. An understanding of these tools is required but the expectation is that this role would not be actively driving the tools daily.
• Use your commercial and contractual awareness to understand and action contracts, payment mechanisms, claims, and how commercial decisions impact project performance. Able to advise clients on the most appropriate commercial options and challenge suppliers when deviations from the plan occurs.
• Establishing and maintaining control frameworks and reporting standards to ensure that the project hits a reliable cadence of reporting that drives early warning and decisions.

What sets you up for success:

• 8+ years’ experience in infrastructure project management and project controls. A mix of designer/contractor/client experience would be advantageous.
• Engineering background preferred but not essential.
• Clear communicator who can build relationships with different types of people
• Proactivity, initiative, and ownership – someone who will chase missing information to deliver results
• Professional and collaborative – comfortable working at a senior level and in front of governance, as well as guiding juniors.
• Structured, diligent, attentive to detail
• Software skills: Familiarity with usual tools like Primavera P6, MS Project, MS Excel, Power BI required, but not necessary to be an expert in any.
• Active interest in your own development, both technical and professional (including growing your network and becoming a consultant.

How we work:

We’re office‑first because in‑person collaboration strengthens relationships, expedites solutions, and speeds up learning. Flexibility is supported when needed, with hands‑on coaching and exposure across sectors.

We work in a mixed manner between our office and the client/project office to be close to the action.

What you’ll get:

• Exposure to a variety of the most exciting projects in NZ
• A sense of belonging in a supportive and highly experienced, like‑minded team that truly understands the value of project controls
• Five weeks’ annual leave
• 4.5% employer KiwiSaver contribution
• Wellbeing benefit
• Learning and development support including forums, training budgets, and professional memberships
• Enhanced Parental Leave for primary carers and partners
• Access to EAP services

Excited about the opportunity to shape New Zealand’s infrastructure landscape and join a high-performing team that’s passionate about delivering results?

Excited about the opportunity to shape New Zealand’s infrastructure landscape and join a high-performing team that’s passionate about delivering results?

We’re not partnering with recruitment agencies for this role at present; to be considered, please apply directly—we’d love to hear from you!

 Eligibility:

To apply for this vacancy, you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa. For any questions about this role, please contact us at careers@frequency.nz.