Manager Tangata Whenua Partnerships

About the role

Contact is seeking a senior leader to head its Tangata Whenua Partnerships within the Sustainability team. This role will shape how the company collaborates with iwi, hapū and Māori entities, ensuring that renewable energy projects deliver both commercial success and cultural integrity.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and strengthen high‑trust relationships with iwi, hapū and Māori organisations across Aotearoa.
• Integrate Tangata Whenua perspectives early into investment, consenting and project decision‑making.
• Provide leadership to a specialist team, establishing standards, systems and scalable ways of working.
• Balance cultural integrity, environmental responsibility and commercial outcomes in a highly regulated sector.
• Build organisational capability and confidence to expand partnership opportunities, including equity ownership.

Required profile

• Senior leader who operates confidently within te ao Māori.
• Demonstrated deep relationship capability, judgement and mana.
• Experience influencing strategic decisions in complex, regulated environments.
• Commitment to mutual benefit for Tangata Whenua and the company.

Required skills