Head of Environmental Engineering & Consenting

Wastemanagement8; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

WM New Zealand seeks a Head of Environmental Engineering & Consenting to lead our environmental engineering team in Redvale, Auckland. You will champion innovative environmental solutions while overseeing regulatory consenting processes and stakeholder engagement, driving excellence and compliance with NZ legislation.

You will guide EIA work, ensure consent conditions are met, and collaborate across departments to integrate environmental considerations into projects.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in environmental engineering and consenting in NZ.
• Strong knowledge of NZ RMA processes and resource consent applications.
• Experience managing regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of environmental engineers and consenting specialists.
• Direct preparation and submission of resource consent applications under NZ law.
• Oversee environmental impact assessments and management plans.
• Ensure compliance with consent conditions across facilities.
• Engage with regulatory agencies and local authorities.
• Strategically manage budgets, timelines, and resources.

Skills

Environmental engineering

RMA knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Environmental Engineering & Consenting to lead our environmental engineering team in Redvale, Auckland. In this strategic leadership role, you will champion innovative environmental solutions whilst overseeing all environmental engineering projects, regulatory consenting processes, and stakeholder engagement. You will drive organisational excellence, ensure compliance with New Zealand environmental legislation, and position our company as a recognised leader in sustainable infrastructure development. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical expertise with decisive leadership capabilities and a genuine passion for delivering transformative environmental outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a talented team of environmental engineers and consenting specialists, cultivating a culture of professional excellence, continuous innovation, and career development.
• Champion strategic initiatives that advance our environmental engineering capabilities and establish best-practice regulatory consenting processes.
• Lead the environmental engineering aspects of landfill and waste disposal operations, ensuring environmental and technical requirements are understood and effectively applied.
• Direct the preparation and submission of resource consent applications, leveraging your knowledge of the New Zealand Resource Management Act (RMA) and local planning requirements.
• Oversee compliance with existing resource consents, ensuring the organisation operates within consent conditions throughout the life of each facility.
• Review and maintain resource consents to ensure they remain fit for purpose and support the organisation's operational and business needs.
• Provide expert technical leadership on environmental assessments, translating complex data into strategic recommendations and identifying appropriate regulatory pathways.
• Build and nurture collaborative relationships with regulatory agencies, local authorities, and project teams.
• Oversee the delivery of environmental impact assessments (EIA) and environmental management plans.
• Establish and champion quality standards for environmental engineering work and consenting documentation.
• Stay ahead of regulatory changes and ensure the organisation remains compliant with environmental legislation and consent requirements.
• Strategically manage project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation to maximise efficiency and value.
• Mentor and develop team members, supporting their professional growth and career progression.
• Collaborate across departments to integrate environmental considerations into project planning and operational delivery.
• Represent the organisation with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders, building strong and trusted relationships.

What you'll need

• Proven experience working within the New Zealand environmental engineering, environmental consenting, landfill, waste disposal or a closely related field.
• Strong practical knowledge of New Zealand RMA processes and resource consent applications.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand environmental legislation and planning frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience obtaining, interpreting and monitoring resource consents throughout the life of a facility or operation.
• Strong understanding of landfill engineering principles, environmental protection measures and waste disposal operations.
• Strong knowledge of environmental impact assessment (EIA) methodologies and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing environmental compliance and ensuring operations remain within resource consent conditions.
• Extensive stakeholder management experience, including engagement with regulatory agencies and local authorities.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing technical teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex environmental and regulatory issues.
• Experience with P&L management and strategic business planning (preferred).
• Experience in change management and organisational development (preferred).
• Professional registration or membership with relevant environmental or engineering bodies (preferred).

What's in it for You?

• Valid and rewarding career path
• Ongoing training and skill development, with clear career advancement pathways.
• If you are results-driven with exceptional communication skills, we want to welcome you to our team. At WM New Zealand, we're committed to investing in your professional growth, offering unparalleled

WM is an equal opportunity employer, promoting drug and alcohol-free workplaces. Applicants must be in New Zealand and hold a current work visa/residency or NZ citizenship.

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