Principal Planner - Hamilton City Council

Resource Management Law Association (RMLA) | Te Kāhui Ture Taiao; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton City Council is seeking a senior planning leader to guide urban and spatial projects and provide expert technical guidance. Reporting to a Team Leader, you will offer strategic advice and mentorship to planners across the organisation.

You will lead high-profile initiatives, support planning reforms, and collaborate with government agencies, consultants, developers and community stakeholders to shape Hamilton's growth and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert technical leadership across complex planning projects and programmes.
• Leading multidisciplinary planning initiatives from concept through to implementation.
• Mentoring and developing planners to support capability growth and professional excellence.
• Providing strategic planning advice to Team Leaders, Unit Directors, elected members and stakeholders.
• Preparing high-quality reports, planning assessments, submissions, affidavits and Environment Court evidence.
• Representing Council in hearings, appeals and planning proceedings.
• Supporting the transition to, and implementation of, the new Planning Act and Natural Environment Act.
• Providing planning expertise across the new resource management system and the Resource Management Act while it remains applicable, alongside major plan change programmes.
• Building strong relationships with internal teams, government agencies, consultants, developers and community stakeholders.
• Managing consultant and supplier relationships to deliver quality outcomes and value for money.

Job description

At Hamilton City Council, our people are united by a shared purpose: to improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians. As one of New Zealand's largest city councils, we're proud to serve a growing and vibrant community while delivering services and projects that improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians every day.

As one of New Zealand's fastest-growing cities, Hamilton is undergoing significant transformation, creating exciting opportunities to influence how our city grows, develops and thrives for generations to come. You'll join a team that values collaboration, innovation, and community impact. Together, we're on track to being one of New Zealand's leading community-focused councils, where everyone matters and every contribution helps shape the future of our city. If you're looking for meaningful work, a supportive team, and the opportunity to make a real difference in your community, you'll find it here.

Job Description

He angituutanga: The opportunityReporting to a Team Leader within Urban & Spatial Planning, you'll play a pivotal leadership role within the team, providing expert technical guidance, strategic advice, and professional mentorship to planners across the organisation. You'll be recognised as a trusted subject matter expert and a key contributor to Hamilton's growth and development. Working across a diverse portfolio, you'll lead high-profile planning projects, contribute to District Plan initiatives, support Fast-track developments, respond to Resource Management reforms, and provide planning expertise to Council-wide projects and strategic priorities.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing expert technical leadership across complex planning projects and programmes.
• Leading multidisciplinary planning initiatives from concept through to implementation.
• Mentoring and developing planners to support capability growth and professional excellence.
• Providing strategic planning advice to Team Leaders, Unit Directors, elected members and stakeholders.
• Preparing high-quality reports, planning assessments, submissions, affidavits and Environment Court evidence.
• Representing Council in hearings, appeals and planning proceedings.
• Supporting the transition to, and implementation of, the new Planning Act and Natural Environment Act.
• Providing planning expertise across the new resource management system and the Resource Management Act while it remains applicable, alongside major plan change programmes.
• Building strong relationships with internal teams, government agencies, consultants, developers and community stakeholders.
• Managing consultant and supplier relationships to deliver quality outcomes and value for money.