Optimisation Squad Lead

Nau mai, haere mai. We’re Chorus. You may have already heard about us and know we’re the team empowering the digital future of Aotearoa with our ultra-fast fibre. We’re a talented bunch who are passionate about our purpose: Unleashing potential through connectivity. Enabling better futures for Aotearoa.

Te Momo Tūranga | Contract: Permanent Full Time

Te Wāhi | Where: Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch

Te Pūtake | Why we’re hiring: We’re stepping into our next chapter, aspiring toward 80% fibre uptake across the motu by 2030. With our new strategy providing the roadmap for what we’re working to achieve and how we’ll get there, opportunities are emerging as we seek to expand our capability and talent in new and different spaces.

Te Whiwhinga Mahi | The Opportunity

Are you someone who loves finding smart ways to reduce costs, streamline operations, and lead real change? As the Optimisation Squad Lead, you’ll be at the centre of Chorus’ copper retirement programme, guiding the transition from legacy services to a more efficient, all-fibre future. This role isn’t just about managing numbers; it’s about shaping strategic decisions that deliver real impact across the business.

You’ll lead a cross-functional squad focused on designing and delivering cost optimisation initiatives that keep the copper network operating efficiently until retirement. You’ll drive the roadmap, own delivery outcomes, and lead the end-to-end change needed to embed these improvements.

Working within Frontier, Chorus’ strategic change engine, you’ll be supported by a team that’s all about transformation. You’ll collaborate across finance, technology, and operational teams, tracking progress, identifying risks, reporting on benefits, and ensuring leaders have the insight they need to make bold, informed decisions. If you’re ready to lead meaningful change and optimise legacy infrastructure for the future, this is the opportunity for you.

Ō Wheako, ō Pūkenga | Your Experience

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring deep financial expertise, strong commercial thinking, and proven experience leading complex programmes of work. You’re confident navigating ambiguity, influencing stakeholders, and delivering outcomes in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.

• 7+ years in finance, transformation or programme management roles, ideally with experience in financial analysis, process design, and programme delivery

• Degree qualified in a relevant field

• Strong financial and commercial acumen with a strategic mindset

• Experience with planning and governance frameworks such as EPMO

• Confident analysing complex data and turning it into clear, actionable insights

• Skilled project manager, able to manage timelines, budgets, resources, and risks

• Comfortable coordinating multiple workstreams and teams, even without direct authority

• Excellent communicator, both written and verbal, with a track record of producing clear reports, presentations, and briefings

• Proven ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders

• Experience in the telecommunications industry is an advantage

• Demonstrated leadership with the ability to set direction and drive results

• Commercial and strategic leadership experience across cross-functional initiatives

Not sure that you meet all the requirements? If you still think you could be great for the role, we encourage you to apply!

Mō mātou | About us

We’re shaping a future where all New Zealanders are free to access opportunities that define their own lives, as we expand our network to help Aotearoa grow.

With a new strategy in place and a powerful, inspiring purpose, Chorus is an exciting space right now. We’re on the path to moving from being the great network builder to being the great network operator. To do that, we embrace our mindsets: Be bold, ignite growth, Honour our past, reimagine our future, and Connect communities, empower people. We need people who not only embody these mindsets and the underpinning behaviours but who also inspire others to do the same.

With our Chorus Care package benefits behind you, you’ll have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside a caring, open-minded team in an environment that embraces diversity, encourages innovation, redefines flexibility, and offers an enviable work life balance.

Nōu te mana | Work your way

We know how to do hybrid working well and have been doing it for years and encourage you to find ways to work flexibly. If it suits your circumstances and delivers great outcomes for Chorus – that’s when you know you’ve found the Flex@Chorus Sweet Spot!

He Wāhi Whakaōrite Whiwhinga Mahi.

We have a fair, inclusive and equitable culture where our differences are our strengths, we connect on shared values, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Please let us know of any accessibility requirements you would like us to consider supporting you with your application. We know women are underrepresented in senior roles, and we want to change that. If you’re a woman looking for your next step, in a company that genuinely supports your growth, has a flexible work culture and visible female leaders we’d encourage you to apply.

Come be part of a new era at Chorus, apply today.

Apply