Head of Development and Growth

Taituarā Resource Management Reference Group; Waikato; Remote; NZD 145,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Flexible work options

Performance reviews

Health insurance

Birthday leave

Wellbeing programme

EAP

Discounts

Job summary

Waikato District Council is seeking a high-impact Head of Development and Growth to lead our end-to-end development service and drive sustainable, customer-focused growth for the Waikato district. You will report to the General Manager Customer and Community and guide a multi-disciplinary team to deliver high-quality development outcomes.

This strategic role requires balancing customer experience, regulatory requirements, and long-term community outcomes while managing budgets and cross-Council

Qualifications

• This role requires a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• Significant leadership experience leading multi-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of the development lifecycle from pre-application to consent.
• Experience working with developers, consultants and regulatory stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end development service from pre-application engagement to approvals.
• Provide strategic leadership for development and growth across the district.
• Build relationships with developers, customers and industry stakeholders.
• Drive service performance to ensure timely, compliant, customer-focused approvals.
• Lead continuous improvement to boost productivity and customer experience.
• Provide visible leadership to a team of leaders and specialists.
• Oversee budgets, financial performance, procurement and contracts.
• Champion collaboration across Council for a single connected organisation.

Skills

Leadership experience

Development lifecycle knowledge

Stakeholder management

Commercial & financial management

Customer-focused mindset

Communication skills

Continuous improvement

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

Lead the growth of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts.

Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings complexity. The decisions made today will shape the communities, infrastructure, and places people call home for decades to come.

At Waikato District Council, we're looking for an exceptional Head of Development and Growth to lead our end-to-end development service and help us deliver sustainable, customer-focused growth across the district. With our population projected to grow from approximately 90,000 residents today to 115,000 by 2045.

The opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role with significant influence on the future of Waikato communities. Reporting to the General Manager Customer and Community, you'll lead a multi-disciplinary function responsible for guiding development proposals from the first conversation through to final approvals. You'll work closely with developers, industry partners, elected members, iwi, and Council teams to ensure growth is enabled through timely, consistent, and high-quality development services.

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic and commercially minded leader who can balance customer experience, regulatory requirements, operational performance, and long-term community outcomes.

What will I do?

As the Head of Development and Growth, you will:

• Lead the end-to-end development service, from pre-application engagement through to approvals and consents.
• Provide strategic leadership for development and growth activities across the district.
• Build strong relationships with developers, consultants, customers, and industry stakeholders.
• Drive service performance, ensuring approvals are timely, consistent, compliant, and customer-focused.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, quality, and customer experience.
• Provide visible and inspiring leadership to a team of leaders and specialists.
• Oversee operational budgets, financial performance, procurement, and contract management.
• Champion collaboration across Council so customers experience one connected organisation.

What will I bring?

We're looking for a proven senior leader who can confidently operate in a complex, fast-paced environment and build trusted relationships across a diverse stakeholder landscape.

You'll bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• Significant leadership experience, including leading and developing multi-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of the development lifecycle, from pre-application engagement through to consent and approval processes
• Experience working with developers, consultants, infrastructure providers, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Strong commercial, financial, and operational management capability.
• A customer-focused mindset and passion for service excellence.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering results.

Why join our team?

This is a rare opportunity to influence how growth is delivered across one of New Zealand's most dynamic districts.

You'll be joining an organisation that is committed to creating thriving communities and delivering great experiences for customers. You'll have the opportunity to lead a critical function, shape strategic outcomes, and work alongside passionate people who are dedicated to making a positive difference.

Additional Information

Salary circa $170K dependent on skills and experience.

Waikato District Council offers a range of benefits to employees:

• Enjoy free parking.
• Make work, work for you with flexible working options.
• Benefit from annual performance and remuneration reviews.
• Access subsidised health insurance.
• Celebrate with a day of birthday leave.
• Receive a work-life balance day every six months after your first year.
• Access confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Take advantage of our employee wellbeing programme.
• Receive free health checks, training and education at our annual Work Safe Home Safe event.
• Save with Boost discounts and special offers from New Zealand retailers and service providers.

We have a strong safety culture and as part of this our preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment medical assessment which includes alcohol and drug testing.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.