Head of Commercial Arrangements
Posted
Description
About Us
Ferry Holdings Limited (FHL) was established in 2025 to deliver one of New Zealand's most significant transport infrastructure programmes - the replacement of the Cook Strait ferries and the development of associated port infrastructure to support reliable inter-island connections for decades to come.
FHL is a Crown-owned Schedule 4A company that operates within the parameters set for it by the Government and is publicly accountable for the decisions it makes. Our mandate is clear: to secure safe, reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible rail-enabled ferries and the infrastructure required to support them, while delivering value for taxpayers.
Working alongside ports, KiwiRail, shipyards and government stakeholders, we're helping deliver a programme that will strengthen New Zealand's resilience, connectivity and economic future for decades to come.
The Opportunity
This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of the commercial framework underpinning one of New Zealand's most significant infrastructure programmes.
As Head of Commercial Arrangements you'll lead the ongoing management and optimisation of FHL's key commercial agreements. You'll work closely with delivery partners, programme teams and senior stakeholders to ensure agreements are understood, operating effectively and supporting successful programme outcomes.
Acting as a trusted commercial advisor, you'll help navigate complex commercial arrangements and relationships, provide input into governance and decision-making forums, and support the delivery teams to work effectively within the framework established by the programme's commercial arrangements.
- Lead implementation and ongoing management of key commercial agreements
- Work with delivery partners to build shared understanding of commercial obligations, responsibilities and ways of working
- Monitor agreement performance, identify emerging risks and support effective issue resolution
- Act as a strategic commercial advisor to programme leaders and governance groups
- Attend steering groups and contribute to Board reporting, commercial risk management and governance activities
- Support the development of tools, processes and frameworks that strengthen commercial performance across the programme
- Advise on new contractual arrangements and commercial matters as required
- Manage external legal service providers and ensure services are effective and deliver value for money
- Support procurement activities, contract development and broader commercial initiatives across FHL
- Provide leadership and mentoring to foster strong commercial capability across the organisation
You'll bring experience working within major infrastructure, transport or capital delivery programmes, along with the ability to operate confidently in a complex stakeholder environment.
You'll also have:
- Proven experience managing complex commercial and contractual arrangements
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to identify and manage commercial risk
- Experience working with multi-party delivery models and governance environments
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- The ability to translate complex commercial issues into practical, actionable advice
- Experience managing external legal advisors and supporting procurement activities
- Leadership experience within commercial, legal or project environments
- A tertiary qualification in Law, Commerce, Business or a related discipline
This is a rare opportunity to shape the commercial foundations of a nationally significant infrastructure programme. You'll join a small, highly capable team where your expertise will have visible impact, working at the centre of a programme that will help connect New Zealand for generations to come.
Apply now
Applications close 24th November 2026.
Don’t delay your application. We will be reviewing applications as they are received and if we identify a suitable pool of candidates we may choose to close the advertisement early.
Please contact christine@humankind.nz for further information.