Senior Principal Planner - Growth & Hearings Leader

Hamilton City Council; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Professional development

Wellbeing days

Health insurance

Annual health checks

Additional leave

Eye care support

Local discounts

Job summary

Hamilton City Council is seeking a senior planning professional to lead high-profile urban and spatial planning initiatives within the organisation. Reporting to a Team Leader, you will provide expert guidance, strategic advice and mentorship to planners across the council to support Hamilton's growth and wellbeing.

You'll work across a diverse portfolio, contribute to District Plan initiatives, support fast-track developments, respond to planning reforms, and build strong relationships with

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Planning, Resource Management, Urban Design or a related discipline.
• Full membership with the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI).
• At least 10 years' planning and resource management experience, preferably within New Zealand.
• Extensive knowledge of the Resource Management Act and associated legislation.
• Proven experience leading and delivering complex planning projects.
• Experience representing organisations in the Environment Court and planning hearings.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• High levels of political awareness and strategic thinking.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing planning professionals.
• Sound project management, risk management and financial oversight capability.

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.
• Identifying emerging planning trends and opportunities to strengthen Hamilton's future growth and development.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Influencing

Strategic thinking

Political awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning / Resource Management / Urban Design

NZPI membership

Job description

Hamilton City Council is seeking a senior planning professional to lead high-profile urban and spatial planning initiatives within the organisation. Reporting to a Team Leader, you will provide expert guidance, strategic advice and mentorship to planners across the council to support Hamilton's growth and wellbeing.

You'll work across a diverse portfolio, contribute to District Plan initiatives, support fast-track developments, respond to planning reforms, and build strong relationships with