Project Manager, Capital Works

The role | Te mahi

Are you looking for more than just another project? At The University of Otago, we offer a career that’s rich in variety, purpose, and professional growth.

Here, it’s not just about the big, shiny builds. It’s about meaningful work that shapes the future. From heritage restorations, minor adaptions or renewals, cutting-edge laboratories and accommodation upgrades to complex refurbishments, we manage a wide range of concurrent projects across our campuses —all tied to a bigger picture.

Our team is backed by strong strategic alignment, enabling Pae Tata, the University’s strategic plan to 2030 and with a long-term campus master plan underway, you'll be part of a transformative journey that blends vision with real impact.

Our team was recently recognised with a Construction Project of the Year award for Te Rangihīroa College, a testament to the innovation, collaboration, and delivery excellence we bring to everything we do.

We’re looking for someone who can add to this collaborative team environment. As a key part of our Capital Works team, you'll help shape and deliver a wide range of construction and infrastructure projects across our evolving campus environments.

This is a client-side project management role, where success is driven as much by your ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders, and provide clear leadership as it is by technical delivery. You will act as the University’s representative, ensuring projects align with organisational priorities and deliver value to end users and the wider community.

You’ll be responsible for the full lifecycle of projects—ensuring scope, time, cost, quality, and stakeholder expectations are effectively managed and delivered. Core responsibilities include developing and managing project plans and programmes, overseeing design integration, maintaining robust governance and reporting structures, and ensuring value through cost and risk management.

A key focus of the role is proactive stakeholder engagement. You’ll work closely with internal clients, consultants, contractors, and leadership to ensure alignment, manage expectations, and create positive project outcomes.

Your skills and experience | Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

• Lead small to medium projects end-to-end.
• Plan and deliver using effective scoping, scheduling, budgeting, procurement, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams and foster collaboration.
• Proven delivery of capital works projects across construction or engineering.
• Strong stakeholder management, with the ability to build trust and influence outcomes.

Who we are | Ko wai mātou

The Property & Campus Development Division is responsible for the University’s built environment and property operations. The key goal for the division is to deliver value to the University and community through the unique character and purpose of our physical places.

Further details | Pūroko

This is a full-time (37.5 hours), permanent position, located in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.

The appointment range for this position is $96,587 to $105,532. Top of range $114,474.

Along with a competitive salary, we offer a 6.75% superannuation scheme, and encourage work/life balance.

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

The University of Otago is a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking, people and behaviours. This means that we honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and that the contributions of staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives are valued and respected.

For further information regarding the role, please contact the Head of Capital Works, Wes Jenkins via the contact details below.