Director - Resource Management

Taituarā; Stratford; Remote; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks + one day annual leave

Onsite gym

Flexible working options

Free car parking

Training opportunities

Active social club

Job summary

Taranaki Regional Council seeks an experienced, values-led executive to lead the Resource Management function, guiding strategy, policy, consenting, compliance and engagement across iwi and hapū. This senior role reports to the Chief Executive and collaborates with the Executive Leadership Team to shape outcomes for the region.

You will lead a directorate of ~45 staff, ensuring high-quality advice, sound financial management and a positive culture, while advancing regulatory reform and community

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in resource management or related field.
• 15+ years of resource management experience in a public sector environment.
• Extensive senior or executive leadership experience, ideally in local or central government, regulation, infrastructure, environmental management or similar.
• Credibility across multiple resource management disciplines; multi‑disciplinary team leadership.
• Ability to develop strategic frameworks and lead major work programs and service improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of the Resource Management Strategy and Roadmap aligned to the Long Term Plan.
• Provide strategic advice to the Chief Executive, Council and committees.
• Oversee policy and planning, resource consents, compliance monitoring and enforcement, and general policy functions.
• Oversee harbour safety, navigation and marine pollution planning and response responsibilities.
• Build partnerships with tangata whenua, iwi and hapū and lead on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in resource management

Management qualification (advantage)

Job description

This is an influential executive role with scope across strategy, policy, consenting, compliance, iwi and hapū engagement, and marine navigation and safety.

• Executive influence - Join the Executive Leadership Team and advise the Chief Executive and elected members.
• Broad portfolio - Lead the Resource Management group across policy, regulation, strategy and operational delivery.
• Regional legacy - Build trusted partnerships and deliver outcomes that matter for Taranaki now and into the future.

Taranaki Regional Council works with the community to make our region a fantastic place to live, play and do business.

Our main office is in Whakaahurangi, Stratford, at the heart of Taranaki. The location offers an enviable mix of connected communities, a practical commute, easy access to the coast and maunga, and a lifestyle that is hard to match.

We are looking for an experienced, values led executive who will bring people together, lift capability and lead with clarity in a complex statutory and public operating environment.

Watch the video to find out more about Taranaki Regional Council's kaupapa, culture and the impact of our mahi.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Director Resource Management provides strategic and professional leadership across the Council’s Resource Management functions. The role leads a directorate of approximately 45 staff, including six direct reports and is accountable for high-quality advice, effective service delivery, sound financial management and a positive, high performing culture.

Key areas of leadership include:

• leading the development and delivery of the Resource Management Strategy and Roadmap, aligned with the Council’s Long Term Plan and strategic direction
• providing strategic advice to the Chief Executive, Council and its committees
• leading resource management policy and planning, resource consents, compliance monitoring and enforcement, and relevant general policy functions
• overseeing harbour safety, navigation and marine pollution planning and response responsibilities
• building effective partnerships with tangata whenua, iwi and hapū, and providing leadership on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Ao Māori and mātauranga Māori
• developing trusted relationships with communities, government agencies, local authorities, industry, science specialists and other key stakeholders
• leading through regulatory reform, organisational change and evolving community expectations
• building leadership capability, supporting staff development and creating a culture where people are empowered to perform at their best.

Further details on the role can be found below, or for any other questions please contact our People and Wellness team on [e-mail]

You will be an accomplished senior leader who can move confidently between governance, strategy, technical complexity, stakeholder relationships and operational delivery. You will bring sound judgement, political awareness and the ability to communicate clearly when issues are sensitive or under public scrutiny.

You are likely to offer:

• a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in resource management or another relevant field, with a management qualification being an advantage
• at least 15 years of relevant resource management experience in a public sector environment
• extensive senior or executive leadership experience, ideally in local government, central government, regulation, infrastructure, environmental management or a similarly complex setting
• professional, technical and practical credibility across multiple resource management disciplines
• a strong record of leading multidisciplinary teams, developing people and creating an inclusive, accountable and enabling culture
• experience developing and implementing strategic frameworks, major work programmes and service improvement initiatives
• demonstrated success building strategic partnerships and influencing a wide range of stakeholders at executive and governance level
• a working knowledge of the legislation relevant to regional councils and an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities, tikanga Māori, Te Ao Māori and mātauranga Māori
• confidence presenting in public and through the media, supported by highly developed written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

He aha ai a Taranaki Regional Council? Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of an entire region while working with committed people who care deeply about Taranaki. You will have the mandate to lead across a broad and meaningful portfolio, contribute at executive level and help shape how the Council responds to major changes in the resource management system.

• Five weeks + one day annual leave entitlement
• Active social club
• Onsite gym
• Flexible working options
• Free car parking
• Training opportunities within each role

Applications close at 5.00pm on 20 November 2026. We may review applications as they are received and begin the selection process before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

Taranaki Regional Council is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. If this opportunity excites you but your experience does not align perfectly with every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

You must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. As an Accredited Employer, Taranaki Regional Council may be able to support eligible applicants through the Accredited Employer Work Visa where applicable.