Head of Strategy & Economic Development

Nelson City Council; Nelson; Vor Ort; NZD 150.000 - 190.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Fully subsidised health insurance

Generous leave provisions

Learning and professional development

Zusammenfassung

Nelson City Council is undergoing a major local government transformation under Shaping Our Future. The Executive Director Strategy & Planning will lead a new, high-performing function that unites strategy, policy, economic development and grants in service of community outcomes.

You will translate elected leaders’ directions into an evidence-based work programme, oversee statutory planning including the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report, and drive change with a collaborative team.

Qualifikationen

• You’re an experienced senior leader who can build a new team and lead through change.
• You’re credible in politically sensitive environments and provide frank, independent advice.
• You have knowledge of NZ local government statutory planning including LTP/Annual Plan/Annual Report

Aufgaben

• Lead and integrate strategy, policy, economic development, and funding functions.
• Develop and deliver the economic development strategy and work programme.
• Provide high-quality strategic advice to the Chief Executive and elected members.
• Oversee the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report development.
• Champion a coordinated grants and funding approach across the organisation.
• Build relationships with central government, iwi, regional partners and business communities.
• Apply economic analysis to inform decision-making, business cases and priorities.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team through change and continuous improvement.

Kenntnisse

Senior leadership

Strategic policy development

Economic development strategy

Investment proposals evaluation

Governance & performance monitoring

Grants management understanding

Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge

Strategic advisory capability

Ausbildung

Tertiary qualification in economics/public policy/business/planning

Jobbeschreibung

Shaping our Future | Kōmiria te anamata

Nelson City Council is undertaking one of the most significant local government transformations in New Zealand. Through Shaping Our Future, we’re organising ourselves around the people and communities we serve, getting clearer about who does what, and investing in the capability we need for the years ahead. We’re also working more closely with iwi, neighbouring councils and other partners to deliver better outcomes for Whakatū Nelson. Our new structure is in place, and we’re now recruiting for the roles that will bring it to life.

You’ll lead a new function to strengthen evidence-based decisions, strategic partnerships and economic outcomes for the region

About the role | Kō tēnei tūranga mahi

This is a rare chance to lead and shape an expanded business unit. Reporting to the Executive Director Strategy & Planning and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll bring together Council’s strategy, policy, economic development, and funding and grants functions into one coherent, high-performing unit. You’ll translate the strategic direction set by elected members into an evidence-based, organisation-wide work programme, and oversee Council’s statutory planning, including the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report. You’ll also play a key role in embedding Council’s new operating model, leading your people through change and building a shared purpose, ways of working and team culture.

You will:

• Lead and integrate Council’s strategy, policy, economic development, and funding and grants functions, aligned with the Long Term Plan and community outcomes
• Lead the development and delivery of Council’s economic development strategy and work programme, including oversight of partnerships, CCO and CCTO relationships and future delivery models
• Provide high-quality strategic advice to the Chief Executive and elected members, including on complex and politically sensitive issues
• Oversee delivery of the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report, making sure they are well-evidenced, financially sound and meet legislative requirements
• Champion a coordinated, organisation-wide approach to grants and funding
• Build relationships with central government, iwi, regional partners and business communities
• Apply economic analysis and evidence to inform decision-making, business cases and investment priorities
• Lead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement

About you | Ko ngā pūmanawa ō

You’re an experienced senior leader who can build a new team and lead people confidently through change. You’re comfortable in a politically sensitive environment, balancing the needs of elected members, the Executive and the community, and you give frank, independent and well-judged advice on complex, high-stakes matters. You’re credible and confident representing an organisation in senior external forums.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in local government or a comparable public sector environment, including leading multidisciplinary functions through change and growth
• Deep knowledge of strategic policy development and New Zealand local government statutory planning, including the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report
• Demonstrated expertise in economic development strategy, including regional economic systems and the levers available to local government
• Experience evaluating investment proposals and business cases with analytical rigour
• Proven experience overseeing relationships with council controlled organisations or comparable entities, including governance and performance monitoring
• Experience in a public sector funding environment, with an understanding of grants management and external funding landscapes
• A sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and how to give effect to them in strategy, policy and stakeholder engagement
• A relevant tertiary qualification in economics, public policy, business, planning or a related discipline

What we offer | Ko ngā painga mōu

• Supportive, empowering leadership that backs you to do your best work
• Wellbeing leave, platforms and initiatives
• Fully subsidised health insurance
• Generous leave provisions
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• A range of employee benefits and discounts
• Meaningful work that shapes our community’s future
• Mountains, beaches and national parks on your doorstep

At Nelson City Council, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and has a true sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from diverse ethnicities and cultures, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities. If you require any assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Applications close | Rā whakakapi

11pm Thursday 12 November 2026