Chief Executive

Waimate District Council; Waimate; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vehicle provided

Additional leave

Job summary

Waimate District Council invites a Chief Executive who genuinely cares about people, and brings heart and strategic clarity to the role. Reporting to the Mayor and Council, you'll be the council's principal advisor, shaping long-term direction and translating priorities into practical outcomes while leading its people, culture and performance.

You’ll lead the senior leadership team, build relationships with iwi, mana whenua, government agencies and the community, and drive culture, capability

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience gained in the public or private sector.
• Strong strategic thinking, with a proven ability to translate strategic priorities into practical organisational outcomes.
• A demonstrated record of leading people, organisational performance and the delivery of strategic and operational outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen and sound financial management capability.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with elected members, employees, stakeholders and communities.
• Well-developed business and political acumen, sound judgement and strong decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational change.
• A genuine understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities.
• Experience within local government, an understanding of iwi and mana whenua relationships, and experience working with elected members or governance bodies will be well regarded, as will a background supporting small or rural communities.
• A five-year contract term
• Relocation support, including the option of rental accommodation while you settle into the district
• The opportunity to lead a high-performing, experienced Senior Leadership Team
• Remuneration includes vehicle and additional leave.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, balanced and timely governance advice to support effective decision-making.
• Translate Council's priorities into practical outcomes while leading its people, culture and performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with elected members, staff, iwi and mana whenua, government agencies, neighbouring councils, and the wider community.
• Champion Waimate's interests as local government reform continues to unfold.
• Be an active, visible part of the community you serve.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Strategic thinking

People leadership

Financial management

Stakeholder relationships

Judgement & decision-making

Organisational change

Rural communities understanding

Local government experience

Contract term knowledge

Relocation support awareness

Leading senior leadership team

Job description

• Lead a high-performing council through significant change
• Champion a rural district built on farming and community
• A visible, strategic leadership role shaping the district's future

About the Organisation
Waimate District Council serves a rural district of around 8,000 people, shaped by farming and agribusiness. It is supported by approximately 89 staff at peak season and an experienced and capable Senior Leadership Team. WDC has built a reputation as a high-performing, efficient small council, and is looking for a Chief Executive who will build on that standard through the changes ahead for local government.

The Council's culture is grounded in accountability, adaptability, integrity and collaboration, with community and customer focus at its centre. As Chief Executive, you'll set the tone by example, fostering a positive culture and building organisational capability, while remaining an active, visible part of the community you serve.

About The Role
This is an opportunity to join Waimate District Council as its next CEO – a person who genuinely cares about people, wants the best for the district, and brings both heart and strategic clarity to the role.

Reporting to the Mayor and Council, you'll be Council's principal advisor, providing clear, balanced and timely advice that supports effective governance and decision-making. You'll take a long-term, strategic view of the organisation's direction, translating Council's priorities into practical outcomes while leading its people, culture and performance.

This is a role that requires genuine presence in the district, not leadership from a distance. You'll build and maintain strong relationships with elected members, staff, iwi and mana whenua, government agencies, neighbouring councils, and the wider community, championing Waimate's interests as local government reform continues to unfold.

Your Skills & Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience gained in the public or private sector
• Strong strategic thinking, with a proven ability to translate strategic priorities into practical organisational outcomes
• A demonstrated record of leading people, organisational performance and the delivery of strategic and operational outcomes
• Strong commercial acumen and sound financial management capability
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with elected members, employees, stakeholders and communities
• Well-developed business and political acumen, sound judgement and strong decision-making skills
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational change
• A genuine understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities
• Experience within local government, an understanding of iwi and mana whenua relationships, and experience working with elected members or governance bodies will be well regarded, as will a background supporting small or rural communities.
• A five-year contract term
• Relocation support, including the option of rental accommodation while you settle into the district
• The opportunity to lead a high-performing, experienced Senior Leadership Team
• Remuneration includes vehicle and additional leave.

For more information please phone Andrea Bankier on [phone].