Manager - Building Control

Whangarei District Council; Whangarei; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning & development

Health & life insurance

Professional memberships

Flexible working arrangements

Supportive workplace culture

Job summary

Whangārei District Council is seeking an experienced leader to head the Building Control team. The role focuses on strategic and operational leadership for building consents, inspections, compliance, approvals, and property assessments, while upholding accreditation and best practices.

You will lead change, manage risk, and promote a collaborative, tikanga-driven culture across the team and with stakeholders to support safe, compliant development across the district.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in regulatory, compliance, or consenting environments.
• Strong knowledge of Building Act, Building Code, and related legislation.
• Excellent stakeholder relationship-building and communication abilities.
• Proven ability to identify and manage risk within regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing Building Control team.
• Promote tikanga and values in decision-making and culture.
• Provide expert regulatory advice to support informed planning and decisions.
• Maintain accreditation requirements for the Building Consent Authority (BCA) and drive continuous improvement.
• Build strong internal and external relationships to resolve complex issues and achieve outcomes.
• Lead service improvements and respond to regulatory changes including Building Act reforms.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory experience

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Risk management

Regulatory leadership

Job description

See more about the role below, including the responsibilities and skills we are looking for.

Whangarei, New Zealand

Reference: 6920141

Lead a team that helps shape a safe and thriving Whangārei

Whangārei District Council is looking for an experienced and motivated leader to take the helm of our Building Control team.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the quality, safety, and resilience of development across our district while leading a talented team of regulatory professionals. You'll play a key role in ensuring our community has confidence in the buildings and developments that support its future.

At Council, we are committed to delivering excellent service, working collaboratively, and embedding our organisational tikanga in everything we do.

About the role

As Manager - Building Control, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership to a multidisciplinary team responsible for building consents, inspections, compliance activities, approvals, and property assessments.

You'll oversee the performance and continuous improvement of our Building Consent Authority (BCA), ensuring accreditation requirements are maintained and best practice standards are upheld.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing a capable, engaged, and high-performing team
• Promoting a culture that reflects our organisational tikanga and values
• Providing expert regulatory advice to support informed decision-making across Council
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Working collaboratively to resolve complex issues and achieve positive outcomes
• Driving service improvement and operational excellence
• Supporting the organisation through legislative and industry changes, including future Building Act reforms
• Managing risk and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and accreditation requirements

What you'll bring

We're looking for a confident and collaborative leader who can balance technical expertise with strong people leadership.

You'll have:

• Proven experience leading teams within a regulatory, compliance, or consenting environment
• Sound knowledge of the Building Act, Building Code, and associated legislation
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• The ability to identify and manage risk effectivelyExcellent communication skills and the confidence to influence at all levels
• A practical, solutions-focused approach within a regulatory framework
• Experience leading change and supporting teams through evolving environments

About you

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Lead with integrity, empathy, and accountability
• Foster a positive and inclusive team culture
• Enjoy building strong working relationships
• Bring a collaborative approach to problem-solving
• Are committed to delivering great outcomes for customers and the community

At Whangārei District Council, our people are at the heart of what we do. Guided by our tikanga and we’re committed to creating a workplace where people can do meaningful work and grow their careers.

Living and working in Whangārei offers the best of both worlds: a vibrant district, stunning natural surroundings, excellent schools, and the convenience of short commutes.

Our benefits include:

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Health and life insurance
• Payment of professional memberships
• Flexible working arrangements
• A supportive and values-driven workplace culture