Project Coordinator

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As a Project Coordinator Aerospace, you'll play a critical role supporting the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of aerospace capability projects across the New Zealand Defence Force.

Working within a busy project environment, you'll provide coordination support across project governance, financial forecasting, reporting, scheduling, and systems administration activities. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced coordinator who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can confidently manage competing priorities across multiple workstreams.

Supporting a portfolio of approximately 50 projects, you'll work closely with Project Managers, stakeholders, and governance groups to help ensure projects remain well governed, accurately reported, and effectively coordinated.

In this role you will:

• Provide secretariat support to project governance boards and project decision-making groups.
• Coordinate project schedules, reporting and documentation.
• Assist with financial forecasting, accruals and project expenditure.
• Monitor project risks, issues and action registers.
• Support project systems and information management activities.
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, papers and meeting outcomes.
• Build strong working relationships across Defence stakeholders.
• Contribute to the successful delivery of aerospace projects.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

We're looking for a highly organised and proactive coordinator who can quickly establish themselves within a complex project environment. You'll be comfortable supporting multiple stakeholders, managing competing priorities, and maintaining high levels of accuracy across a large portfolio of projects.

You will bring:

• Experience in project coordination, PMO, or programme support roles.
• Experience supporting governance forums, reporting, and decision-making.
• Strong financial administration, forecasting, or budgeting skills.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management abilities.
• Confidence using project management tools and the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel.
• Confidence in dealing with personnel from a wide range of ranks, backgrounds, and experience.
• The ability to work well in a small team environment

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning – safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Applications close on Tuesday 22 September 2026.

Use the links on this page where you’ll be directed to the Defence Careers website.

Please Note:

• All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description and a Contact Us option for any queries or technical issues.
• Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.
• Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.

NZDF Employees/Members – please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.

NZDF Contractors – please apply via the Defence Careers website.

NZDF Reserves – please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.

Please Note:

To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here’s what you need to know:

Higher Level Security Clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
• At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last ten (10) years.
• You must have a ten (10) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.

If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.