Executive Director - Strategy, Governance and Transformation

Taituarā; Canterbury; Remote; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks annual leave

Life insurance

Career coaching and development

KiwiSaver contributions during savings

Job summary

Waikirikiri Selwyn District Council seeks an Executive Director to lead Strategy, Governance and Transformation. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will shape long-term planning, drive major transformation programmes and ensure the council operates as a connected system across strategy, performance and engagement.

You will oversee governance services, provide trusted advice to elected members, and lead communications and community engagement while honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mana

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary portfolios in local government or related sector.
• Track record of delivering organisation-wide transformation and change.
• Strong understanding of governance, planning and reform in local government.

Responsibilities

• Shape strategic direction, long-term planning and regional planning initiatives.
• Lead transformational programmes, improving systems, processes and ways of working.
• Provide trusted governance advice to elected members and executive leadership.
• Oversee communications, engagement and performance reporting.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance

Transformation

Stakeholder engagement

Financial acumen

Education

Postgraduate qualification in public administration or related field

Tools

Governance tools

Job description

Executive Director - Strategy, Governance and Transformation

• Significant leadership opportunity to help shape the future of Waikirikiri Selwyn
• Unique opportunity to shape a new position and make it your own
• Be at the forefront of pivotal change

• Significant leadership opportunity to help shape the future of Waikirikiri Selwyn
• Unique opportunity to shape a new position and make it your own
• Be at the forefront of pivotal change

Waikirikiri Selwyn is unlike any other district in New Zealand. Spanning mountains in the west, to the waters of Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere, it is a diverse district of rural communities and fast-growing towns. The Selwyn District Council is shaping a thriving future, with the population expected to increase by around 30,000 over the next ten years — bringing a rare combination of challenge and opportunity.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will help our Council set the strategic direction through the Long-Term Plan and wider strategic framework. You will be at the forefront of pivotal change leading the organisation's response to central government reform and drive major transformation programmes through to completion. Essentially, you'll be helping us to plan and set up our council for success.

Your portfolio brings together Strategy, Organisational Performance, Governance, Communications, Engagement and Marketing. You'll be ensuring our organisation works as one connected system - turning direction into practical, measurable outcomes for Council and the Selwyn community.

• Shape Council's strategic direction, Long-Term Plan and regional spatial planning
• Lead organisational transformation, improving systems, processes and ways of working
• Guide Council's coordinated response to central government reform
• Oversee governance services and provide trusted advice to elected members
• Lead communications, marketing and meaningful community engagement
• Drive transparent performance reporting and continuous improvement
• Honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthen partnerships with mana whenua
• Develop capable, collaborative teams and a change-ready organisation

About you

You're a credible, influential executive with extensive experience leading multidisciplinary portfolios within local/regional councils or unitary authorities. You have a strong track record of delivering organisation-wide transformation, bringing people together across functions and influencing outcomes beyond your direct remit.

• Strategic, solutions-focused thinking and a deep understanding of local government legislation, governance, planning and reform
• Strong financial and business acumen
• Proven governance leadership, with the ability to build trusted relationships with elected members
• Demonstrated success delivering organisational transformation through collaboration and influence across teams
• The ability to lead collaborative, values-driven teams and embed continuous improvement
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a demonstrated commitment to genuine partnership with mana whenua
• The credibility and judgement to act as a trusted adviser to the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team and elected members
• The capability and potential to step into the acting Chief Executive role when required
• An authentic leadership style that builds capability, strengthens accountability and creates a positive, values-led culture
• Sound judgement to prioritise and sequence change in line with organisational capacity
• A strong understanding of how data, digital tools and process improvement support better outcomes and clear accountability
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, backed by credibility as a strategic adviser

A connection to the Selwyn district or Canterbury Region with a genuine commitment to becoming part of it is essential.

What we can offer

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Five weeks annual leave
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension
• Discounts with local and national businesses

If you are ready to lead significant strategic and organisational change and help, make Selwyn the best place to live, work and play, we would like to hear from you.