Team Leader, Parks Planning

Recreation Aotearoa | Te Whai Oranga; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working policy

Professional development

Wellbeing days

Health insurance (Unimed)

Annual health checks

Discounts at local businesses

Job summary

Hamilton City Council, within the Customer and Community Group, is seeking a strategic leader to head Parks Planning and guide the growth of our parks, reserves, and open space network.

You will lead a high-performing team, shape planning policy, respond to legislative reforms, and build strong relationships with stakeholders to deliver lasting benefits for current and future generations in Hamilton.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years' experience in a senior role specialising in parks and recreation planning, urban planning, policy development, or related field.
• Broad-based strategic view of issues and longer-term implications.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Political acumen and risk mitigation ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex information clearly.
• Commitment to community engagement and public service.
• Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and related protocols.
• Experience with Resource Management Act, Reserves Act, Local Government Act; interpret policy changes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team in parks planning.
• Provide expert planning advice to protect, enhance, and grow parks and open spaces.
• Guide strategic direction and respond to legislative reform and planning framework changes.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver lasting community benefits.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Stakeholder management

Political acumen

Communication

Community engagement

Te Tiriti knowledge

LG Act experience

Financial management

Time management / invoicing

Education

Tertiary qualification in resource management or planning

Job description

Hamilton City Council are here to improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians, to become the leading community-focused council, so Hamilton’s full potential can be unlocked – making it the best place to live.

This position sits within the Customer and Community Group who are responsible for providing facilities and services that help create a safe, vibrant and inclusive city.

Job Description

Are you a strategic leader who is passionate about creating places where communities can thrive?

As Team Leader, Parks Planning, you’ll lead a talented team responsible for providing expert planning advice that protects, enhances, and enables the growth of Hamilton’s parks, reserves, and open space network. This is an opportunity to influence the future of our city, working across Council and with key stakeholders to deliver lasting benefits for current and future generations. Your leadership will help shape bold planning outcomes that support a growing Hamilton while preserving the spaces that make our city a great place to live.

In this influential role, you’ll guide the strategic direction of parks planning, drive innovative thinking, and ensure the teamis well positioned to respond to emerging legislative reform and changes to planning frameworks. You’ll bring people together, build strong relationships, and lead with confidence, helping your team deliver high-quality outcomes that make a real difference to the community. You’ll play a key role in guiding your team through change, creating clarity, building confidence, and supporting them to adapt and thrive.

If you’re ready to lead, inspire, and leave a lasting legacy across Hamilton’s open spaces, we’d love to hear from you.

Qualifications

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, supported by at least 10 years' experience in a senior role specialising in parks and recreation planning, urban planning, policy development, or a related field.
• A broad-based strategic view of issues and perceptiveness of their longer term and wider implications.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders – internal and external.
• Political acumen and ability to negotiate risk and apply mitigation strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively.
• A demonstrated commitment to community engagement and public service.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in resource management, planning, parks, sport and recreation, or a related discipline.
• Significant working experience with the Resource Management Act, Reserves Act, Local Government Act, and a demonstrated ability to interpret, assess, and implement legislative and policy change.
• A good knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and understanding of tangata whenua values and protocols.
• Experience with managing people through Local Government practices and processes, including financial management skills, time sheeting, and invoicing practices.

Additional Information

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary?

Circa$125k - $135K dependent on skills and experience.

• Flexible by choice; an award-winning flexible working policy.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Two Wellbeing days per year.
• Free health insurance through Unimed including hospital/surgery grade cover and discounted. membership rates for family members.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccination.
• Ability to purchase additional annual leave.
• Discounted purchases from local businesses; gym memberships, cafes, dentists, hairdressers and many more.

Applications close on the: 26 August 2026

Note: We will be shortlistingas we receive applications.

Council is committed to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi through its relationship with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua and maataa waka within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking here

It is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met.

As a council, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and belongs. We value inclusiveness (Kotahitanga) – we respect and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that everyone brings.

This role is being sourced directly. If/where Hamilton City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our panel of selected agencies. Hamilton City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to unsolicited contact.