Senior Resource Consent Planner

Sungrow Renewable New Zealand Limited; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Sungrow Renewable New Zealand Limited – Auckland, North Island is seeking an experienced Senior Resource Consent & Planning professional to lead the resource consent planning process for utility-scale solar farm projects. You will own the planning strategy, coordinate external consultants, and ensure compliance with the RMA and NZ planning framework.

The role requires managing complex consent applications, engaging with iwi/hapū and mana whenua, and collaborating with engineering and legal teams

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in New Zealand resource management, planning or resource consenting.
• Strong working knowledge of the Resource Management Act (RMA) and New Zealand planning framework.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex resource consent applications.
• Experience dealing with local authorities and regulatory agencies.
• Experience managing external planning/resource consent consultants.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance planning requirements with project development objectives.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the resource consent application, taking overall responsibility for the planning and resource consent process for utility-scale solar farm projects
• Review, coordinate and manage the preparation of resource consent applications and supporting documentation
• Develop and maintain the overall consent strategy and programme
• Review planning assessments, AEE documentation and technical reports prepared by external consultants
• Identify planning, consenting and project risks at an early stage and recommend mitigation strategies
• Coordinate responses to requests for further information from councils
• Support the project through notification, submissions, hearings, mediation and/or appeals
• Monitor changes in legislation and policy that may affect the project
• Act as the primary client-side contact for external planning/resource consent consultants
• Prepare scopes of work, review proposals and assist with consultant selection
• Maintain a clear consenting risk register and project approval programme
• Coordinate consultation with iwi / hapū and mana whenua where relevant
• Attend pre-application meetings and discussions with councils
• Represent the project in meetings with councils, consultants and other stakeholders
• Provide planning and consenting advice to the development team from early site identification through to construction
• Identify consenting constraints and opportunities during due diligence
• Work with engineering, development, commercial and legal teams to ensure planning considerations are incorporated
• Review potential solar farm sites from a planning perspective
• Establish and maintain relationships with local authorities and regulatory agencies

Skills

RMA knowledge

Stakeholder management

Project management

Consultant management

Communication skills

Job description

Sungrow Renewable New Zealand Limited – Auckland, North Island

We are seeking an experienced Senior Resource Consent & Planning professional to take ownership of the resource consent planning process for utility-scale solar farm projects in New Zealand. This is a developer-side role. You will be responsible for overseeing the overall resource consent strategy and application process, while working closely with and managing external planning and environmental consultants. The successful candidate will have strong practical experience with the Resource Management Act (RMA) and New Zealand resource consenting processes, together with the ability to coordinate multiple technical disciplines and stakeholders to deliver a high-quality consent application.

Key responsibilities

• Own and manage the resource consent application, taking overall responsibility for the planning and resource consent process for utility-scale solar farm projects
• Review, coordinate and manage the preparation of resource consent applications and supporting documentation
• Develop and maintain the overall consent strategy and programme
• Review planning assessments, AEE documentation and technical reports prepared by external consultants
• Identify planning, consenting and project risks at an early stage and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies
• Ensure the application is complete, internally consistent and aligned with project objectives before submission
• Coordinate responses to requests for further information (RFI) from councils
• Support the project through notification, submissions, hearings, mediation and/or appeals where required
• Monitor changes in relevant legislation, national policy statements, national environmental standards, regional plans and district plans that may affect the project
• Act as the primary client-side contact for external planning/resource consent consultants
• Prepare scopes of work, review proposals and assist with consultant selection
• Manage consultant deliverables, programme, budget and quality
• Review and challenge consultant advice where appropriate to ensure it is practical and commercially aligned with the project
• Coordinate the work of planning consultants with other technical consultants, including ecology, landscape, traffic, noise, civil engineering, stormwater, geotechnical, cultural and other specialists
• Ensure all consultant reports are consistent and support the overall consenting strategy
• Drive consultants to meet project milestones and submission deadlines
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with relevant local authorities and regulatory agencies
• Support engagement with iwi / hapū and mana whenua where relevant to the project
• Coordinate consultation with affected parties, neighbours, landowners and other stakeholders
• Attend pre-application meetings and discussions with councils
• Represent the project in meetings with councils, consultants and other stakeholders
• Assist the project team in managing planning-related issues arising during project development
• Provide planning and consenting advice to the development team from early site identification through to construction
• Review potential solar farm sites from a planning and consenting perspective
• Identify consenting constraints and opportunities during project due diligence
• Provide input into landowner negotiations, site layouts and project design from a consenting perspective
• Work closely with engineering, development, commercial and legal teams to ensure planning considerations are incorporated into project decisions
• Maintain a clear consenting risk register and project approval programme

About you

• 5+ years' experience in New Zealand resource management, planning or resource consenting
• Strong working knowledge of the Resource Management Act (RMA) and New Zealand planning framework
• Demonstrated experience managing complex resource consent applications
• Experience dealing with local authorities and regulatory agencies
• Experience managing external planning/resource consent consultants
• Strong understanding of the preparation and review of Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) and technical supporting reports
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams
• Excellent project management and stakeholder management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance planning requirements with project development objectives