Environmental Consents Manager

Western Bay of Plenty District Council; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Subsidised medical insurance

Flexible work arrangements

Pet-friendly work environment

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is seeking a dynamic Regulatory Services Leader to guide planning and engineering teams through fast-track consenting, resource consents, and evolving policy.

You will shape district planning in a fast-growing region, foster strong relationships with mana whenua and government partners, and deliver high-quality services while supporting staff development and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in a relevant leadership or management role.
• Strong knowledge of local government legislation (RMA, LGA).
• Proven ability to lead through change and build high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of planning and engineering professionals in development engineering.
• Champion service delivery, performance, and process improvements.
• Foster strong relationships with council, iwi, and mana whenua.
• Guide budgeting, reporting, and reforms to support district growth.

Skills

Leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Budgeting and finance

Change management

Customer focus

Relationship building

Job description

Come and make a difference with usAt Western Bay of Plenty District Council, everything we do is about making the everyday better — and helping our communities thrive, now and into the future.Western Bay is a District undergoing significant growth and transformation. From planning for future communities to delivering the infrastructure that supports them, we’re focused on getting the fundamentals right — and preparing for what comes next.We’re also focused on our people. At Western Bay, we believe in investing in and empowering our teams to grow, lead, and achieve their goals. Because when our people thrive, our communities do too.If you're motivated by making the everyday better, helping people thrive, and leaving things better than you found them — we’d love to hear from you.The opportunityThis is a challenging and dynamic leadership role within our Regulatory Services Leadership Team. You'll join us at a pivotal time, with the opportunity to lead through significant organisational and sector change, including Resource Management reform, the transition of water services to Tāheke, and the implementation of Datascape. These changes will shape how we deliver services to our communities, making this an exciting opportunity to influence the future of our organisation and district.In this position you will manage a passionate team of planning and engineering professionals in the delivery of our resource consenting and development engineering functions as we continue to grow our district and respond to the challenges and opportunities of our changing regulatory environment. You'll use your significant management and planning experience together with your exceptional relationship and stakeholder management skills to lead Council delivery on fast-track consenting, resource consenting, influence spatial and district planning, and respond to changes in government policy and direction.Key responsibilities:Lead a team of 19-20 staff including 3 Team Leaders, Principal Planner, and planners, engineers and support staff.Champion performance, service delivery, and process improvementFoster strong relationships across council, community, and mana whenuaContribute to budgeting, reporting, and navigating reformsYou will deliver a professional high-quality service for our customers in accordance with the Resource Management Act, and national environmental and engineering requirements.In return we will offer you the challenge of working in one of the fastest growing regions in NZ, with a wide breath, variety, and complexity of work. You will have a positive 'can-do' attitude, be highly professional, and have integrity, ability to work across multiple disciplines, all whilst creating value, high customer care and achieving outstanding results.To set you up for success, you’ll haveAt least five years' experience in a relevant professional role, ideally within local government or a similarly complex environment.Strong leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to build engaged, high-performing teams and lead through change.Strong knowledge of local government legislation, including the Resource Management Act and Local Government Act.Strategic thinking ability with a proven track record in planning, navigating complexity, and identifying smart, sustainable consenting solutions.Outstanding communication skills, including the ability to present complex and technical information confidently to Council, stakeholders, and community groups.Strong regional networks with government agencies, iwi/Māori partners, and community organisations.Innovative thinking – someone who enjoys problem-solving and isn’t afraid to think outside the square.Budgeting and financial management expertise, with a sharp eye for cost-effective outcomes.A customer-first mindset, always seeking to improve the service experience.Self-motivation, enthusiasm, and results orientation, with a positive, can-do attitude.What we offerFive weeks annual leaveA competitive employment package - including subsidised medical insuranceFlexible work arrangements and a pet friendly work environmentLearning and development opportunitiesAccess to wellbeing resources and workplace supportAssistance to relocate to the areaFree onsite parkingApplicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit.Applications close Thursday 05 November 2026.