Senior Environmental Specialist

DairyNZ Limited; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

DairyNZ Limited in New Zealand seeks a Senior Environment Specialist to turn environmental knowledge, policy and research into practical on-farm solutions. You will lead the Dairy Environment Leaders programme, guide projects, build partnerships with farmers and stakeholders, and translate science into tools and learning that improve farm performance.

If you’re a credible environmental specialist with systems thinking, strong communication and the ability to influence across audiences, apply now.

Qualifications

• Expertise in dairy farm systems and environmental management.
• A relevant qualification or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate through others.
• Ability to translate science into practical solutions.
• Excellent influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead practical, evidence-based solutions to environmental challenges facing NZ dairy farmers.
• Turn policy, regulation and science into tools, resources and learning for on-farm action.
• Lead projects and workstreams through planning, delivery, evaluation and impact.
• Build strong partnerships with farmers, industry, councils and stakeholders.
• Provide trusted technical leadership through advice, presentations and publications.
• Identify emerging issues and opportunities to shape DairyNZ's environmental response.
• Grow capability across DairyNZ by mentoring others and fostering collaboration.

Skills

Environmental management

Dairy farm systems

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Policy translation

Communication

Education

Relevant qualification or equivalent industry experience

Job description

Job ID: 165138
Department: Farm Solution & Engagement
Location: Flexible location
Posted: September 16, 2026

Deliver a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming

We are full of people who have a passion for delivering great outcomes and creating positive change. We leverage our collective strength by bringing the dairy sector together, helping farmers build more sustainable, profitable, and resilient farm businesses; because a strong dairy sector means a strong New Zealand.

Your opportunity

This is an opportunity to turn environmental knowledge, policy,regulation and research into practical solutions that make a real difference on farm. As a senior subject matter expert, you will help DairyNZ respond to the environmental issues facing dairy farmers and the wider sector, developing trusted guidance, tools, resources and programmes that support change and improve farm systems, practices and business performance.

One important part of this role will be taking ownership of DairyNZ’s Dairy Environment Leaders programme, ensuring it is well managed, continues to evolve, and delivers strong outcomes for farmers and the wider sector.

In this role you will:

• Lead practical, evidence-based solutions to environmental challenges facing New Zealand dairy farmers.
• Turn policy, regulation and science into tools, resources and learning that drive on-farm action.
• Lead projects and workstreams from planning through to delivery, evaluation and impact.
• Build strong partnerships with farmers, industry, councils and key sector stakeholders.
• Provide trusted technical leadership through advice, presentations, publications and industry engagement.
• Identify emerging issues and opportunities to shape DairyNZ's environmental response.
• Grow capability across DairyNZ by mentoring others and fostering collaboration.

About you

You are a credible environmental specialist who can see the big picture and turn complexity into practical action. You combine strong knowledge of dairy farm systems with strategic thinking, sound judgement and the ability to influence diverse audiences. Comfortable leading through others, you build trust quickly, communicate clearly and bring people together around solutions that work for farmers and the sector.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Expertise in dairy farm systems and environmental management.
• A relevant qualification or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, coordinate and deliver work through others.
• Strong skills in translating science and evidence into practical solutions.
• Excellent influencing, stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and bring people with you.
• Systems thinking skills that demonstrate how farm systems, policy, people, science and sector change connect.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Technical experience in dairy effluent management would be highly regarded, but is not essential.
• Established dairy sector networks would be highly regarded.

Why you should join us

Make a difference - Together with our farmers, help us drive positive progress for the sector and country we love. Our credible work supports a sustainable future for farmers, the environment and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bring the whole you- We put people at the heart of what we do. We welcome all that you are and support your wellbeing, so you thrive personally and professionally.

Join a vibrant culture - Be part of a team that truly believes in our values. We have the courage to take bold action and the curiosity to drive innovation. Our credibility shines in our evidence-based work and our connectedness builds meaningful, collaborative relationships.

Empowering you - We succeed when you do, which is why we champion the development and growth of our people. We empower you to do and be at your best through learning opportunities and great benefits.

Sound good to you? Come join our team who together, are making a difference.

Check out the full position description here to read more detail. Applications close 7 October 2026 at 11:55pm.