Tim Mason

General Management and Executive Leadership

Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

About

I am a senior executive with more than 20 years’ leadership experience across complex organisations, leading strategy, organisational performance, and major transformation programmes. My approach is grounded in integrity, honesty, courage, and curiosity, with a strong focus on building trust, accountability, and alignment across teams and stakeholders. Over my career, I’ve developed a reputation for providing clear strategic direction, navigating complexity, and delivering practical outcomes. I bring strong commercial judgement and the ability to turn vision into action, while working effectively with boards, executive teams, stakeholders and staff to build confidence and shared commitment. A key part of my leadership has been building high-performing teams and cultures where people are empowered to contribute, collaborate, and deliver results. I’ve led organisations through periods of significant change and growth by maintaining a clear focus on people, performance, and continuous improvement. I believe long-term organisational success comes from a strong culture, clear purpose, and shared ownership. Creating an environment where people feel trusted, supported, and connected to the organisation’s goals is central to achieving results.

Experience

  • Executive Director - Infrastructure and Property at Selwyn District Council
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Executive Director with responsibility for infrastructure, property, emergency management, and enterprise leadership, focused on enabling sustainable growth, strengthening organisational performance, and delivering long-term community outcomes. Responsible for leading large-scale organisational change, strategic planning, and cross-sector stakeholder engagement within complex public sector environments.

  • Head of Delivery - Piritahi Alliance at Piritahi
    Nov 2020 - Oct 2022 · 2 yrs

    As a member of the Alliance Management Team (AMT), accountable for the development and implementation of strategies across the programme while working collaboratively with other leadership team members to ensure delivery runs smoothly.

  • Director at Peak Consulting
    Nov 2019 - Mar 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

    An independent consultant with a focus on assisting businesses in the construction sector. Utilising skills, experience and industry networks offer strategic advice related to organisational development and complex programme delivery.

  • MBA Student at University of Canterbury
    Jul 2018 - Nov 2019 · 1 yr 5 mos

    The MBA has enabled me to identify and analyse complex organisational challenges and develop and communicate effective solutions while further developing my leadership capability. I have also gained a comprehensive understanding of business disciplines which will be demonstrated in the ability to make sound decisions and display good judgement in the business arena.

  • Downer New Zealand (8 yrs 10 mos)
    • NCTIR Alliance Bid team Interface Manager
      Oct 2017 - Jul 2018 · 10 mos

      Responsible for the development and delivery of the Improvements scope and target out-turn cost (TOC). Key Achievements: • Identification and validation of Improvements Scope with NZTA and KiwiRail owner representatives. • Responsible for the discharge of all Improvements deliverables to enable the development of an Improvements Target Outturn Cost (TOC).

    • SCIRT Alliance Head of Delivery
      Apr 2015 - Oct 2017 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      Responsible for leading the delivery of the 2.7B Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild programme. Key Achievements: • Drove performance in the uncertain and complex environment of disaster recovery by developing and implementing strategies and performance measures to deliver NZ$500m of horizontal infrastructure per annum. • Led the delivery arm of the NZ$2.7B Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team of approximately 600 engineers and construction professionals. • Developed and led the SCIRT Alliance Completions team responsible for the complex handover to the client of NZ$1.5B of completed horizontal infrastructure projects. • Successfully led and developed a culture of collaboration and peak performance across all five Delivery teams involved in the SCIRT Alliance.

    • Operations Manager Major Projects South Island
      Apr 2014 - Apr 2015 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Responsible for providing leadership, support and governance to the Downer Major Projects business in the South Island. Key Achievements: • Provided governance and support to Downer Project Managers across the South Island; responsible for delivery of projects across all sectors of Downer business, with a focus on high-risk and high-value work. • Championed zero harm, through the implementation of more effective project-planning tools and a focus on mitigation of critical risks, which resulted in zero LTIs during my tenure.