Community Events Lead

Whanganui District Council; Whanganui; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Whanganui District Council is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Community Events Lead to shape, support and deliver the district's key community celebrations, festivals and visitor events.

You’ll lead planning and delivery of Council-supported community events and civic occasions, building strong relationships with event organisers, community groups, sponsors and stakeholders, and coordinating permits, road closures, venues and operational planning to ensure seamless delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience in event management, project management or community development.
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Sound organisational and budgeting experience.
• Customer-focused approach and helping others succeed.
• A full New Zealand Driver Licence.
• Experience within local government, event permitting, health and safety, or volunteer coordination would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of Council-supported community events and civic occasions.
• Build strong relationships with event organisers, community groups, sponsors and key stakeholders.
• Support major strategic events to navigate Council processes and requirements.
• Coordinate event logistics, permits, road closures, venues and operational planning.
• Provide hands-on event support before, during and after events.
• Manage bookings and permits for parks, reserves, open spaces and filming activities.
• Work closely with internal Council teams to deliver seamless event outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to grow events, improve customer experiences and enhance Whanganui's reputation as an events destination.
• Support volunteers, casual staff and event delivery teams.

Skills

Event management

Project management

Community development

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Communication

NZ Driver Licence

Job description

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Love bringing people together? Passionate about creating memorable community experiences? This could be the role for you.

Whanganui Venues & Events is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Community Events Lead to help shape, support and deliver some of the district's most important community celebrations, festivals and visitor events.

From iconic events like the NZ Masters Games, Vintage Weekend and Cemetery Circuit, through to public activations and emerging community initiatives, you'll play a key role in helping events thrive in Whanganui. You'll work alongside event organisers, community groups, businesses and Council teams to turn great ideas into successful experiences that enrich our district and bring people together.

This is a highly varied role for someone who enjoys building relationships, solving problems, coordinating multiple projects and making things happen behind the scenes.

About the role

As our Community Events Lead, you'll be the central point of connection between Council and many of Whanganui's most significant community and visitor events.

You’ll:

• Lead the planning and delivery of Council-supported community events and civic occasions
• Build strong relationships with event organisers, community groups, sponsors and key stakeholders
• Support major strategic events to navigate Council processes and requirements
• Coordinate event logistics, permits, road closures, venues and operational planning
• Provide hands-on event support before, during and after events
• Manage bookings and permits for parks, reserves, open spaces and filming activities
• Work closely with internal Council teams to deliver seamless event outcomes
• Identify opportunities to grow events, improve customer experiences and enhance Whanganui's reputation as an events destination
• Support volunteers, casual staff and event delivery teams

No two days are the same. One week you might be coordinating a major community festival, the next helping a national sporting event access Council services, overseeing a civic ceremony, or supporting a film production to bring their project to life.

About you

You’ll be an organised and proactive professional who enjoys working with people and delivering projects that have a meaningful impact on the community.

You’ll bring:

• Experience in event management, project management, community development or a related field
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Sound organisational and budgeting experience
• A customer-focused approach and a passion for helping others succeed
• A full New Zealand Driver Licence
• Experience within local government, event permitting, health and safety, or volunteer coordination would be an advantage.

Whanganui is a district with a vibrant events calendar and a strong sense of community. This role offers the opportunity to work on events that create lasting memories, support local pride, attract visitors and contribute to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of our community.

If you're someone who thrives on connecting people, creating experiences and helping communities celebrate what makes them special, we’d love to hear from you.

Help bring Whanganui's biggest events and celebrations to life. Join Whanganui Venues & Events and make a real impact in your community.

For information about this role contact Erin Banks, Manager Venues & Events on 06 349 3198.