Chief Science and Climate Policy Lead

Nelson City Council; Nelson; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Generous leave

Learning & development

Employee discounts

Meaningful work

Outdoor lifestyle

Job summary

Nelson City Council is seeking a visionary Head of Science, Climate & Environmental Policy to lead the new Science & Environmental Policy unit. You’ll report to the Executive Director Strategy & Planning and join the Senior Leadership Team, providing integrated leadership across policy, science and climate, turning complex evidence into clear advice for leaders and stakeholders.

You’ll build a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team, apply an economic lens to programmes, champion regional

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience across environmental policy, planning, science or climate change.
• Deep understanding of resource management legislation and local government responsibilities.
• Strong ability to translate scientific evidence into policy advice.

Responsibilities

• Hold Senior Leadership Team responsibility for environmental management, planning and climate change.
• Lead a change programme toward evidence-based, well-targeted and affordable environmental management.
• Apply an economic lens to environmental work programmes.
• Champion regional work programmes and partnerships, including co-funding and shared risk.
• Work with iwi, partner agencies and others to lead, co-design and co-fund where appropriate.
• Set a coherent, pragmatic direction for environmental policy, planning and science.
• Integrate scientific evidence, climate change response and planning frameworks to support future-focused decisions.
• Provide strategic and technical advice to elected members and senior leaders on environmental management, growth and policy.
• Oversee statutory plans, environmental policy frameworks and long-term planning processes.
• Ensure effective environmental monitoring, data collection and reporting.
• Build and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team across policy, planning, science and climate.
• Manage budgets, resources and performance, driving continuous improvement.

Skills

Senior leadership

Environmental policy

Planning

Climate change

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advice

Economic lens

Education

Environmental science degree

Environmental management degree

Planning degree

Public policy degree

Job description

Nelson City Council is seeking a visionary Head of Science, Climate & Environmental Policy to lead the new Science & Environmental Policy unit. You’ll report to the Executive Director Strategy & Planning and join the Senior Leadership Team, providing integrated leadership across policy, science and climate, turning complex evidence into clear advice for leaders and stakeholders.

You’ll build a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team, apply an economic lens to programmes, champion regional