Regional Catchment Manager

Bay Conservation Alliance; Bay of Plenty; On-site; NZD 54,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Bay Conservation Alliance in the Bay of Plenty region seeks an experienced coordinator to lead regional collaboration among catchment groups and partners. The role shapes project work plans, coordinates services, and supports governance and reporting across the partnership.

The position requires strong stakeholder engagement, budgeting and reporting capabilities, and a willingness to travel within the Bay of Plenty.

Qualifications

• Experience in programme management, community engagement, or rural sector coordination.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage complexity, and travel within Bay of Plenty.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day regional coordination of the catchment collective.
• Facilitate collaboration across catchment groups and ensure consistent communication.
• Support governance through meeting planning, documentation, and decision records.
• Maintain relationships with iwi, councils, MPI, NZ Landcare Trust and partners.
• Represent the collective at regional and national forums.
• Oversee development and delivery of annual work plans and regional programmes.
• Coordinate shared services (admin, HR/HS, training, data systems).
• Ensure timely reporting, monitoring and evaluation of outcomes.
• Manage budgets, funding contracts, payments and procurement.
• Support catchment groups to plan, deliver and report on local projects.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

1. Regional Coordination & Leadership

• Lead the day‑to‑day coordination of the catchment collective.
• Facilitate collaboration across catchment groups, identifying and supporting priorities and consistent communication.
• Support the Collective Leadership Committee to develop and function effectively, including meeting planning, documentation, policy and decision‑making processes.
• Maintain strong relationships with iwi, councils, MPI, NZ Landcare Trust, and other partners.
• Represent the collective at regional and national forums.

2. Programme Management & Delivery

• Oversee development and delivery of the annual work plan and regional programme of activities.
• Coordinate shared services delivered through BCA (admin, HR/H&S, training, data systems).
• Ensure timely reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of outcomes.
• Manage budgets, funding contracts, payment approvals and procurement processes.
• Support catchment groups to plan, deliver, and report on local projects.

3. Funding & Resource Development

• Lead development of funding proposals (including MPI, councils, philanthropic funders).
• Identify new funding opportunities and partnerships.
• Support catchment groups to access funding, prepare applications, and meet compliance requirements.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Communications

• Build trusted relationships with catchment groups, industry partners and all key stakeholders
• Good understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Ensure clear, consistent communication across the collective.
• Develop regional communications, updates, and success stories.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing, field days, training, and cross‑catchment learning.

5. Governance Support

• Provide high‑quality secretariat support to the Collective Leadership Committee.
• Prepare agendas, papers, briefing notes, and decision records.
• Support governance development, including induction, capability building, and performance review.
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with farmer‑led principles.

6. Data, Insights & Reporting

• Oversee regional data systems, monitoring frameworks, and shared tools.
• Coordinate collection of catchment‑level data and insights.
• Prepare regional reporting for funders, partners, and stakeholders.
• Support development of a regional knowledge hub.

Key Relationships

• Collective Leadership Committee (farmer led governance group)
• Catchment group coordinators and committees
• Bay Conservation Alliance (shared services provider)
• Iwi partners
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council
• District Councils
• MPI
• NZ Landcare Trust
• Rural sector organisations (DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, horticulture bodies)
• Contractors, consultants, and technical specialists

Person Specification

Skills & Experience

• A strong self-starter, able to shape the development of this new role.
• Strong experience in programme management, community engagement, or rural sector coordination.
• Proven ability to work with farmers, landowners, and rural communities.
• Experience in governance support, stakeholder management, and multi‑party collaboration.
• Understanding of freshwater management, catchment restoration, biodiversity, and rural land management.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and reporting.
• Ability to work independently, manage complexity, and navigate diverse expectations.
• Willingness to travel across the Bay of Plenty.

Attributes

• Highly relational, trusted, and credible with farmers.
• Practical, solutions‑focused, and able to translate strategy into action.
• Skilled at balancing regional coordination with local autonomy.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving environment.
• Committed to farmer‑led decision‑making and partnership with iwi.

Role Details

• Location: Bay of Plenty (flexible within region)
• Reports to: Collective Leadership Committee (farmer governance group)
• Hosted by: Bay Conservation Alliance (contract, HR, admin support)
• Direct Reports: Contractors and project coordinators as required
• Hours: Estimated 30hrs per week
• Contract: Initially 9 months (October 2026 – June 2027, subject to funding. (It is intended that the role will continue with a longer-term funding agreement)