Duminda Wijayasinghe, Associate Director

Duminda Wijayasinghe
Associate Director, 
NEW ZEALAND

What is your job?

I am the Associate Director for Program and Project Management for SYSTRA in New Zealand. My role will focus on implementation of processes, controls, and resources to win and deliver work, with the expected level of safety, quality, and value for clients and SYSTRA. More specifically, my role is to liaise with delivery and ensure client requirements and commercial project obligations are met, while protecting the commercial interests of the Company.

I can also say that I made history being SYSTRA’s first ever employee based in New Zealand.

Why do you do what you do?

Before joining SYSTRA, I had spent a decade working within New Zealand’s government sector where I worked for Auckland Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency a Program Director, Program Manager, and a Project Manager. Some iconic projects that I was able to lead in these organizations are, Rodney Transport Program, Auckland Cycling Program and Waterview Tunnels Program where I was able to sharpen my program and project management skillset. Before coming to NZ, I was working for London Underground Limited as an Assessment Engineer and an Associate Project Manager.

I love working within the engineering industry becomes of the unique and global personalities it brings together. I am someone who believes that diversity is beautiful, and I get to appreciate that every day through the projects I get to work on. I also like to use my knowledge and skills to transform our cities and spaces to make them more livable, connecting communities through effective transportation solutions.

What are the 3 most important qualities or skills in your role?

• He tangata, he tangata, he tangata: It is the people, it is the people, it is the people which is the most important quality in my job. Keeping people at the heart (Manākitanga) of my daily job is the central part that I always encouraged.
• Kapa-mahi: Teamwork and collaboration is another important skillset that I exercise in my daily job. Sharing knowledge, experience and learning from previous lessons is a great skillset that I have sharpened through collaborative team working.
• Leadership: Nurturing and enhancing our people and the team around me is another important quality I have invested a lot of time and energy in. I strongly believe, if I nurture people around me it would be easy for us to nurture the industry and benefit communities too.

Why do you like working for SYSTRA?

SYSTRA is a great place for me to challenge myself and broaden my skillset. As a person, I love embracing change and like to work on transformational projects which challenges your BAU default. With SYSTRA’s international exposure to the transportation industry, I believe there will be a lot of opportunities for me to develop as the business grows in New Zealand.