Principal Advisor - Organisational Planning

Environment Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Canterbury is seeking a highly experienced Principal Advisor to lead organisational planning, turning priorities into clear, integrated plans. You will provide trusted advice to executive and governance teams and strengthen performance across the council.

Working with cross‑functional teams, you will guide Long‑Term and Annual Plan processes, support submissions and deliberations, and help shape strategic direction in a dynamic, treaty‑partner oriented environment with a strong focus

Qualifications

• Bachelor level degree in business, management, finance, planning, public policy, natural or physical resource management or related discipline.
• At least 10 years' experience in organisational, business or local government planning.
• Proven project management or programme management skills to maximise delivery against deadlines.
• Strong ability to turn complex information into clear, practical advice for planning and decision‑making.
• Sound understanding of dynamic political, statutory or local government environments.
• Excellent relationship management and facilitation skills with senior leaders and cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal business planning processes to translate organisational priorities into clear deliverables.
• Integrate internal planning with the Council's Long‑Term Plan and Annual Plan processes.
• Support the Long‑Term Plan and Annual Plan processes, including submissions management and deliberations.
• Support organisational transition planning as required.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership and other teams on organisational planning.
• Maintain understanding of local government legislation and central government reform.

Skills

Organisational planning

Strategic advice

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy interpretation

Education

Degree in Business, Management, Finance, Planning, Public Policy or related discipline

Job description

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Job Category: Government, Defence & Emergency

• Lead and strengthen organisational planning processes
• Influence executive and governance decision-making
• Join a collaborative and supportive team in a values-driven organisation

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha

About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

In this Principal Advisor role, you will lead organisational planning processes that turn organisational priorities into clear, integrated and achievable plans. Working with teams across Environment Canterbury, you will provide trusted advice that supports executive and governance decision-making, and strengthens organisational performance.

Key Responsibilities Include

• L eading and strengthening internal business planning processes so that organisational priorities are translated into clear deliverables
• Leading the integration of internal planning processes with the Council’s Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan processes
• Supporting the Council’s Long-Term Plan and Annual Plan processes, including submissions management and deliberations processes
• Supporting organisational transition planning as required
• Providing expert advice to senior leadership and other teams on organisational planning
• Maintaining a strong understanding of local government legislation, statutory planning requirements and central government reform

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu | About You

You are a highly experienced Principal who brings structure, judgement and momentum to complex work. Collaborative and pragmatic, you build strong relationships across teams and use your influence to support delivery. You are highly organised, confident working with large amounts of information and comfortable advising senior leaders in a dynamic environment. You bring strong business acumen alongside a continuous improvement mindset and motivation to lift organisational planning capability.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

You’ll Have a Degree In Business, Management, Finance, Planning, Public Policy, Natural Or Physical Resource Management Or a Related Discipline Along With

• At least 10 years' experience in organisational, business or local government planning
• Proven project management, or programme management skills to maximise delivery against deadlines
• Strong ability to turn complex information into clear, practical advice for planning and decision-making
• Sound understanding of dynamic political, statutory or local government environments
• Excellent relationship management and facilitation skills with senior leaders, managers and cross-functional teams
• Proven ability to lead change and deliver results through others

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury

Our Mahi Is Underpinned By Our Values

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

For a confidential chat about this role please contact Carmen Marsh at [e-mail] or by phone on 021 194 1233.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can