About this role
<p><img src="https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/assets/Careers/Photos/Seek-Aug23_900x321-a.jpg?vid=6"></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Influence senior leaders and drive the future of digital product delivery across critical infrastructure</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Permanent full-time role based in <strong>Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Competitive salary plus 4% employer KiwiSaver contribution</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><a title="" href="https://www.kiwirail.co.nz/assets/Careers/NHKR/Product-Owner-Lead-Digital-Infrastructure.pdf?vid=4" target="_self">Position Description </a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">As the Product Owner Lead – Digital Infrastructure, you will play a key leadership role in driving KiwiRail’s digital transformation across our infrastructure business. You will lead a team of Product Owners while shaping and delivering a cohesive product strategy that supports productivity, safety and innovation across the rail network. Working closely with senior leaders, ICT teams and operational stakeholders, you will oversee multiple product lines, ensuring alignment with business objectives while delivering high-value outcomes for customers and the wider organisation. This is a pivotal role where you will balance strategic leadership with hands-on product oversight, championing best practice product management and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Your responsibilities will include:</strong></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Leading, coaching and developing a team of Product Owners to deliver outcomes across multiple workstreams</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Defining and executing the infrastructure product strategy and roadmap aligned to organisational priorities</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Establishing consistent product management frameworks, tools and best practices across teams</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making across the business</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Driving data-led decision making through KPIs, insights and product performance metrics</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Managing resource allocation and capacity planning to optimise delivery outcomes</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Contributing to the wider uplift of product management capability across KiwiRail</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What you will bring:</strong></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">10+ years’ experience in product management, digital delivery, or related roles</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Proven experience leading product teams in complex organisational environments</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Strong understanding of agile delivery and product management frameworks</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Ability to define and execute strategy across multiple product streams</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Strong analytical and problem-solving capability with a data-driven mindset</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Experience coaching, mentoring and developing high-performing teams</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Relevant tertiary qualification in software engineering, business, or a related discipline</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you:</strong></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Competitive salary plus 4% employer KiwiSaver contribution</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Staff-discounted health insurance and retail benefits</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Discounted staff travel across the KiwiRail network</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Access to the NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Ongoing learning, leadership development and clear career pathways</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Opportunity to contribute to nationally significant infrastructure transformation</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">A collaborative and forward-thinking team environment</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference?</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">If you are ready to lead product innovation and deliver meaningful outcomes that support the future of rail in New Zealand, we would love to hear from you.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Bring your leadership, strategic thinking, and passion for product excellence.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Apply today and join us in building Stronger Connections for a Better New Zealand.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Rā aukati | Applications close:</strong> Monday 6th of July 2026.</span></p> <p> </p>