Head of Environmental Engineering & Consenting

WM; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Training and skill development

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

WM New Zealand is seeking a visionary Head of Environmental Engineering & Consenting in Auckland. You will lead an environmental engineering team, oversee resource consent applications, and drive sustainable infrastructure projects while ensuring compliance with NZ environmental legislation.

You will champion innovative environmental solutions, manage stakeholder engagement, and mentor a high-performing team to deliver transformative outcomes for communities and the environment.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent with professional registration preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of New Zealand environmental legislation and planning frameworks.
• Proven experience managing environmental consenting processes and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Extensive stakeholder engagement with regulators and local authorities.
• Experience with project budgeting and strategic planning (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental engineering and consenting teams to deliver strategic outcomes.
• Oversee resource consent applications and ensure compliance with consent conditions.
• Drive best-practice regulatory consenting processes and EIA/EM plans.
• Manage environmental impact assessments and regulatory reporting.
• Maintain relationships with regulatory agencies and local authorities.
• Guide budgeting, timelines, and resource allocation for projects.
• Mentor and develop team members for career progression.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Strategic planning

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Head of Environmental Engineering & Consenting

• Full-time

Let’s take care of work that matters - people, place and purpose. From roads to recycling to reporting, everyone at WM New Zealand (WM) helps take care of our people, protect our whenua and support our communities.

We’re more than waste management – we’re problem solvers, innovators, and hands-on doers. Every one of us, whether behind the wheel, on the tools, or shaping strategy behind the scenes, is helping build a better Aotearoa.
We all pull together on this waka and if you want work that matters, with people who’ve got your back, you’re in the right place.

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 career prospects within a supportive company culture. Collaborate with a team of passionate individuals collectively driving sustainable change.

We review applications on an ongoing basis, so don't hesitate to apply early.
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.
Join us in creating a cleaner, greener future! Your journey with us starts here.