Business Analyst

Environment Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Environment Canterbury is seeking a program and project management professional to help define problems, identify root causes, and translate complex information into practical recommendations. You will lead discovery, engage with leaders and stakeholders, and shape initiatives from concept to planning and delivery across Canterbury communities.

You will move between strategic thinking and practical delivery, using evidence to guide decisions, align stakeholders, and realise benefits for the

Qualifications

• At least five years' experience in business analysis, business improvement, service design, organisational change, or related discipline.
• Experience leading concept, discovery, or early-stage initiative assessment activities.
• Experience defining business problems, identifying root causes, and developing evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience facilitating workshops and engaging stakeholders to build shared understanding and alignment.
• Experience developing business cases, strategic assessments, requirements and options analysis.
• Strong understanding of benefits identification, value assessment, and prioritisation approaches.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience supporting organisational change and successful implementation of new ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Leading discovery workshops to identify root causes, customer needs, business impacts, and opportunities for improvement.
• Exploring problems from multiple perspectives and helping stakeholders articulate desired outcomes.
• Identifying and articulating expected benefits, outcomes, risks, dependencies, and success measures.
• Supporting prioritisation and investment decisions through clear analysis and recommendations.
• Developing business cases, options assessments, requirements and recommendations that inform decision‑making.
• Supporting project delivery, testing, implementation, business readiness, and benefits realisation activities.
• Building strong stakeholder relationships across the organisation to drive alignment and successful outcomes.

Skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Curiosity

Challenge assumptions

Stakeholder engagement

Facilitation

Analysis and interpretation

Job description

Job Category: Program & Project Management

• Ask better questions. Uncover better solutions.
• Help create better outcomes for Canterbury communities.
• Flexible working and professional development opportunities.

At Environment Canterbury, we're working together to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury for current and future generations.

As the regional council for Waitaha Canterbury, we care for the region's air, land, water, and communities. Working alongside mana whenua Ngāi Tahu, stakeholders, and communities, we deliver three essential services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

As Canterbury continues to grow and change, so do we. We operate in a dynamic environment, responding to evolving legislation, policy, and community needs while continuing to deliver for our communities, partners, and te taiao. Adapting to change, embracing new opportunities, and finding better ways of working are all part of creating great outcomes for Canterbury.

This role is suited to a naturally curious and analytical thinker who enjoys exploring complex problems, uncovering root causes, and helping people make better decisions through evidence-based insights and recommendations.

Working across a diverse range of projects, you'll partner with leaders, subject matter experts, and stakeholders from across Environment Canterbury.

In this role, you'll work across a diverse range of projects, partnering with leaders, subject matter experts, and stakeholders from across Environment Canterbury. You'll play a key role in the Concept, Discovery and Design & Planning phases of our project delivery framework, helping define problems, understand business needs, assess options, and build the foundations for successful project delivery.

You'll work with stakeholders to explore options, define requirements and support informed decision‑making.

By asking insightful questions, challenging assumptions constructively, facilitating meaningful conversations, and translating ideas into clear recommendations, you'll support informed decision‑making and help ensure projects deliver value for both the organisation and our communities.

Your work will include:

• Leading discovery workshops to identify root causes, customer needs, business impacts, and opportunities for improvement
• Exploring problems from multiple perspectives and helping stakeholders articulate desired outcomes
• Identifying and articulating expected benefits, outcomes, risks, dependencies, and success measures
• Supporting prioritisation and investment decisions through clear analysis and recommendations
• Developing business cases, options assessments, requirements and recommendations that inform decision‑making
• Supporting project delivery, testing, implementation, business readiness, and benefits realisation activities
• Building strong stakeholder relationships across the organisation to drive alignment and successful outcomes

This role requires someone who enjoys moving between strategic thinking and practical delivery, helping shape initiatives from the earliest idea through to successful implementation.

You are naturally curious and enjoy understanding how organisations work.

You bring a critical‑thinking mindset, seeking to understand the underlying issues behind business challenges and identifying opportunities for improvement.

You can analyse information from multiple sources, connect the dots, and translate complexity into clear and practical insights. You build trusted relationships quickly, engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels, and facilitate discussions that help teams reach shared understanding and make informed decisions.

Comfortable working in ambiguity, you use investigation, analysis, and evidence to guide decision‑making and support positive organisational outcomes.

You will bring:

• Strong critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• A natural curiosity and desire to understand the "why" behind issues and opportunities.
• The ability to challenge assumptions respectfully and constructively.
• Experience gathering, analysing and interpreting information to support decision‑making.
• Strong facilitation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to identify themes, risks and opportunities across complex information.
• A pragmatic approach that balances thorough analysis with delivery and outcomes.

You'll enjoy working with others, building trusted relationships, and contributing to positive outcomes for Canterbury. Your approach will reflect our values and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing workplace culture.

To be successful in this role, you'll ideally have:

• At least five years' experience in business analysis, business improvement, service design, organisational change, or related discipline
• Demonstrated experience leading concept, discovery, or early‑stage initiative assessment activities
• Experience defining business problems, identifying root causes, and developing evidence‑based recommendations
• Experience facilitating workshops and engaging stakeholders to build shared understanding and alignment
• Experience developing business cases, strategic assessments, requirements, and options analysis
• Strong understanding of benefits identification, value assessment, and prioritisation approaches
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and stakeholder management capabilities
• Experience supporting organisational change and successful implementation of new ways of working

We're a values‑led organisation, and our values shape how we work, make decisions, and support each other every day.

Kaitiakitanga (Stewardship) – We make good decisions today for a better tomorrow.
Pononga (Integrity) – We act honestly, take responsibility and do what we say.
Manaakitanga (People First) – We put people first and treat everyone with care and respect.
Whanaungatanga (Collaboration) – We build strong relationships and achieve more together.
Māiatanga (Can Do) – We are brave, solution-focused, and make things happen.

Our values guide the way we work and shape our workplace culture. Throughout the recruitment process, you'll have the opportunity to share examples of how your experiences and approach align with these values.

We know that diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our communities and environment. That's why we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute.

We're also on a journey to become a Treaty partner of excellence. We support our people to grow their confidence and capability in te ao Māori and encourage the use of kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our everyday mahi. Wherever you are on your journey, you'll be welcomed and supported.

To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must have the legal right to work in New Zealand at the time of application and hold work rights that will enable them to fulfil the full term of employment.