Team Lead Management Planning

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

The Department of Conservation (DOC) in Christchurch invites applications for a Team Lead: Management Planning. You will lead one half of a geographically dispersed team delivering DOC's national management planning programme, balancing people leadership with strategic delivery and trusted advice.

You will partner with policy, regulatory and operational teams to deliver planning outcomes that support conservation across Aotearoa, promote Māori engagement with our work, and navigate complex

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience managing complex work programmes.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with iwi, government and stakeholders.
• Strong judgement and ability to navigate regulatory, policy contexts.
• Willingness to learn Māōri tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of national management planning programmes.
• Prioritise workload and develop team capability.
• Foster relationships with Treaty partners and stakeholders.
• Provide strategic advice on conservation, policy and regulatory issues.
• Drive continuous improvement through better systems and processes.
• Manage risk and multi-workstream delivery.

Skills

People leadership

Programme management

Policy & regulatory awareness

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic advisory

Communication

Continuous improvement

Māori engagement & Te Tiriti

Job description

Lead a nationally significant work programme at the heart of conservation planning and decision-making Influence conservation outcomes and strategic priorities across Aotearoa Christchurch-based with other locations considered

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

About the role

We have a Team Lead opportunity, ideally based in Christchurch (with other work locations considered), leading one half of a geographically dispersed team responsible for delivering DOC's national management planning programme. In this role you'll provide leadership to a team of eight, balancing people leadership, strategic delivery, and trusted advice in a rapidly evolving conservation and regulatory environment. You will work closely with your counterpart, the second Team Lead Management Planning. This role is less about being the technical expert and more about enabling others to succeed and do what they do best. You'll lead workload prioritisation, develop team capability, navigate organisational change and reform, and work closely with policy, regulatory and operational teams to deliver planning outcomes that support conservation across Aotearoa. The position will be focused on:

• Leading the delivery of national management planning programmes and priorities
• Enabling your team to work effectively with Treaty partners to promote Māori engagement and involvement with our work
• Supporting the team to building strong relationships with iwi, stakeholders, Conservation Boards, government agencies and internal partners
• Providing strategic advice and navigating complex conservation, policy and regulatory issues
• Driving continuous improvement through better systems, planning tools, AI-enabled approaches and efficient business processes
• Managing risk, competing priorities and programme delivery across multiple workstreams

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We're looking for a proven people leader with strong judgement, experience of managing complex work programmes, and the ability to support and coach their team to build trusted relationships across iwi, government and other stakeholders. Experience in planning, policy, regulatory or natural resource environments would be valuable, but your ability to lead teams, influence outcomes, and drive continuous improvement will be what sets you apart. If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams
• Strong programme, planning or project leadership experience
• Ability to understand broad organisational, regulatory and political contexts and provide sound judgement
• Experience building trusted relationships and influencing across diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex information into practical advice
• Experience working within government, local government, natural resource management, planning, regulatory or policy environments
• A continuous improvement mindset with experience improving systems, processes or ways of working
• Understanding or willingness to learn Māori tikanga and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it relates to your work

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

• We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday 13 November.

Salary: $93,656.00 - $126,500.00 depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries about this role, please contact Kath Blakemore at [e-mail]

Click here for the position description.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles. Read more about DOC