22nd September, 2026
Co-Lab is a council-controlled organisation owned by 12 councils across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. We exist to help councils achieve more together through shared services, strategic initiatives and innovative approaches to common challenges. This is an organisation that acts as an “ideas laboratory” and with a significant growth strategy, involving commercialisation of existing services and development of new revenue streams, there is a real opportunity for national growth.
We're seeking an experienced and commercially astute leader to head our Innovation & Improvement function. This is a pivotal role focused on identifying opportunities, developing robust business cases, establishing effective governance, and leading programmes from concept through to successful delivery.
About the role:
Reporting to the Chief Executive and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead a portfolio of strategic projects and improvement initiatives that create measurable value.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading complex projects and programmes across multiple organisations
- Developing business cases, feasibility assessments and options analysis
- Applying strong commercial judgement to investment and service opportunities
- Establishing programme governance, delivery frameworks and performance measures
- Managing project scope, risk, budget, quality and benefits realisation
- Building alignment across councils, governance groups and stakeholders
- Influencing outcomes in environments where collaboration matters
- Leading a Team of both contract and permanent resource to deliver outcomes
- Providing trusted advice to the CE, Board and senior leaders.
About you:
You'll be a strategic thinker who enjoys turning ideas into practical outcomes and has a proven track record delivering complex initiatives in challenging stakeholder environments.
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading complex projects, programmes, transformation or improvement initiatives
- Strong commercial acumen and critical thinking capability
- Exceptional influencing, persuasion and stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong business case development and decision-support capability
- The ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders and build consensus across competing priorities
- Experience facilitating workshops, driving collaboration and turning strategy into action
Why Co-Lab?
This is a rare opportunity to lead programmes that influence how local government entities collaborate and deliver services. You will join a small, high-impact leadership team with the ability to shape meaningful change.
If you’re motivated by meaningful growth, complex stakeholder environments, and the chance to shape a national expansion story, this role will genuinely stretch you.
For a confidential conversation please contact Louise McLean on 027 247 9393 or apply online. Please note that CVs should be in MS-Word format where possible. Also, you must already hold an NZ Passport or valid working visa to be considered for this role.
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