Strategic Leader, Planning & Development & Change

Wellington City Council; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working

Health and wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Learning and development

Job summary

Wellington City Council is seeking an experienced leader to head the Advice and Improvement team within the Planning and Development Group. This senior role sits at the heart of decision-making and partners with senior leaders to drive improvements.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team focused on business improvement, programme delivery, organisational change, governance, and risk management, ensuring strategy translates into tangible outcomes for communities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading business improvement, transformation, programme delivery, or strategic advisory functions.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and developing high-performing people.
• Strong knowledge of governance, assurance, risk management, and performance frameworks.
• Experience delivering complex programmes, projects, and organisational change initiatives.
• Ability to influence and partner effectively with senior leaders and stakeholders in politically aware environments.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capability.
• Experience managing contracts, procurement activities, budgets, and external suppliers.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and building organisational capability.
• Knowledge of local government, planning, regulatory, or development environments would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing improvement, project, change, and business analysis team.
• Provide strategic advice to support informed decision-making.
• Drive business improvement initiatives to enhance customer outcomes and performance.
• Lead significant programmes and organisational change initiatives across the Group.
• Oversee governance, assurance, performance reporting, and risk management.
• Manage procurement, contracts, and external partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Governance

Programme delivery

Risk management

Contract management

Tools

MS Project

MS Office

Job description

Wellington City Council is seeking an experienced leader to head the Advice and Improvement team within the Planning and Development Group. This senior role sits at the heart of decision-making and partners with senior leaders to drive improvements.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team focused on business improvement, programme delivery, organisational change, governance, and risk management, ensuring strategy translates into tangible outcomes for communities.