Title:  Commercial Project Manager- Customer and Growth

Commercial Project Manager – Customer and Growth

Position Description

• Pivotal role
• Lead cross-functional revenue growth initiatives
• Permanent, Auckland based

He kōrero mō mātou | About us:

At KiwiRail, we connect New Zealanders sustainably, powering economic growth and ensuring vital freight and passenger services run smoothly. Our mission, "Stronger Connections, Better New Zealand," highlights our dedication to sustainability and community well-being. 

Our people make KiwiRail exceptional. By fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace, we empower everyone to contribute their best. If you’re passionate about innovation and safety, we’d love to welcome you aboard. 

He whakamārama mo te tūranga mahi | About the role:

The Commercial Project Manager – Customer & Growth plays a central role in enabling the successful delivery of KiwiRail’s strategy by driving the implementation of revenue generating projects that improve customer outcomes and support revenue growth.

Acting as a trusted delivery partner, the role will work across KiwiRail to deliver for Customers translating strategic priorities into practical implementation plans and coordinating the successful delivery of major Projects across the customer revenue pipeline.

The role leads cross-functional revenue growth initiatives from concept through to implementation, maintaining momentum, coordinating stakeholders, facilitating decision-making and removing barriers to delivery. Through practical project management, commercial discipline and effective stakeholder engagement, the role improves the speed, visibility and consistency of execution while embedding sustainable ways of working that deliver measurable outcomes for Customers and KiwiRail.

Key accountabilities include:

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of customer, product and commercial initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope and aligned with Customer & Growth priorities.
• Drive execution by coordinating cross-functional teams, maintaining momentum, facilitating decision-making, holding stakeholders accountable for agreed actions and removing barriers to successful delivery.
• Coordinate the Customer & Growth delivery pipeline, ensuring initiatives are prioritised, visible and effectively managed from concept through to implementation.
• Establish and maintain fit-for-purpose project governance, including reporting, risk and issue management, decision tracking, benefits realisation and escalation pathways.
• Monitor project performance, proactively identifying and managing risks, issues and dependencies while providing timely reporting and insights to senior leaders.
• Build trusted relationships across Customer, Commercial, Marketing, Digital, Finance, Operations and Corporate Services to influence outcomes and enable successful cross-functional delivery.
• Develop practical project management tools, frameworks and reporting that improve the visibility, consistency and effectiveness of Customer & Growth initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial delivery, customer experience, project execution and organisational capability through continuous improvement.

Ngā pukenga e rapu nei mātou | What (skills) you will bring:

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrated experience delivering complex customer, commercial, product or business transformation initiatives within a medium to large organisation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects from concept through to implementation, ensuring initiatives are successfully embedded and deliver measurable customer, commercial and operational outcomes.
• Strong project management capability, including project planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, risk and issue management, benefits realisation and delivery reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coordinate and hold stakeholders accountable without direct authority while maintaining momentum across multiple initiatives.
• Experience delivering customer-focused initiatives across the customer lifecycle, with an understanding of customer delivery and operational implementation.
• Experience implementing business change and embedding new products, services, processes or ways of working into operational environments.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders at all organisational levels.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Desirable

• Experience within transport, logistics, infrastructure or other customer-focused industries.
• Experience supporting customer, product, sales, marketing or go-to-market initiatives.
• Knowledge of customer lifecycle, customer experience or quote-to-cash processes.
• Experience applying continuous improvement principles to improve commercial performance, customer experience and delivery effectiveness.
• Formal project management qualification (PRINCE2, PMP, Agile or equivalent).
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce, Marketing, Project Management or a related discipline.

Ways of Working / Work-Related Qualities

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to KiwiRail's safety-first culture, proactively identifying and managing risks throughout project delivery.
• Takes ownership of outcomes, maintaining momentum and driving initiatives through to successful implementation.
• Builds trusted relationships quickly and collaborates effectively across Customer, Commercial, Marketing, Digital, Finance, Operations and Corporate Services.
• Influences and engages stakeholders at all levels, driving alignment, accountability and timely decision-making without direct authority.
• Thinks commercially, balancing customer, operational and financial considerations to achieve sustainable business outcomes.
• Maintains a strong customer focus, ensuring initiatives deliver practical solutions that improve customer experience and support revenue growth.
• Adapts quickly to changing priorities, remaining calm, resilient and solutions-focused in a fast-paced environment.
• Plans, organises and prioritises effectively, managing multiple concurrent initiatives while maintaining a high standard of delivery.
• Identifies opportunities to improve commercial delivery, simplify processes and strengthen Customer & Growth's ability to execute strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrates initiative, sound judgement and learning agility, proactively identifying opportunities, solving problems and driving continuous improvement.
• Works collaboratively, fostering an inclusive, respectful and high-performing team culture while supporting shared business outcomes.

Other Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel nationally as required.
• Flexibility to work outside standard business hours where required to support critical project delivery, customer commitments or business priorities.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

• Competitive salary plus 4% employer KiwiSaver contribution

• 25 annual leave days
• Professional development opportunities to help you grow and succeed
• Access to NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust benefits, including holiday homes, medical support and discounted travel
• Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace dedicated to innovation, sustainability and community impact

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference?

Rā aukati | Applications close: 5 August 2026