Team Leader – Resource Consents (Wānaka)

Queenstown Lakes District Council; Wānaka; Hybrid; NZD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental body in Wānaka is seeking a Team Leader – Resource Consents to manage a dedicated team of planners. The role involves leadership, technical guidance, and oversight of resource consent processes. Ideal candidates will have strong knowledge of the Resource Management Act, leadership experience, and a relevant degree. Competitive remuneration and comprehensive employee benefits are offered, alongside a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Southern Cross Wellbeing One Plan

Discounted membership to health and fitness facilities

Genuine commitment to training and career development

Qualifications

• Significant knowledge of the Resource Management Act and related legislation.
• Experience in working with the resource consent process.
• Proven leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Wānaka-based team.
• Provide technical advice and mentoring to team members.
• Oversee resource consent processing and team operations.

Skills

Leadership

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder management

Resource Management Act knowledge

Team mentoring

Education

Degree in Planning or related qualification

Membership of New Zealand Planning Institute

Job description

Team Leader – Resource Consents (Wānaka)

Live, work and play in Aotearoa New Zealand’s most spectacular setting.

No two days at Queenstown Lakes District Council are the same. Every day we provide services, facilities and programmes essential to the health and wellbeing of our people and environment, while stepping up to the challenges and opportunities that come with being New Zealand’s fastest growing territorial authority.

We’re proud to be QLDC. Our people are motivated by a shared purpose driven by care, connection and community. All our roles are at the heart of a dynamic and diverse set of communities where you will be making a genuine difference every day. Join us.

We’re looking for a Team Leader – Resource Consents to lead our Wanaka-based resource consent planners. We offer flexible working practices, a host of employee benefits (including highly discounted access to our health and fitness facilities), and a genuine commitment to your training and career development, including QLDC’s leadership programme.

What you’ll be doing / He aha te mahi

You’ll be focused on managing the Wānaka-based team and will assist the Manager Resource Consents in all aspects of Resource Consents work. You’ll be providing both technical advice to your team as well as mentoring and developing them as professionals. Working closely with the Queenstown-based Team Leaders, you will manage and lead the day-to-day operations of the team.

The role will involve:

• Leadership of your team, including supporting and advancing their professional development and training
• Oversight of resource consent processing by your team, including monitoring processes, timeframes, and consent costs
• Overseeing the allocation of resource consent applications across the whole team and to external consultants
• Reviewing and final decision-making of non-notified resource consent decisions
• Actively building, managing and maintaining relationships across the development and consultant sectors
• Fostering an environment of sharing and flow of technical information between Queenstown and Wānaka Resource Consent teams
• Implementing and continually improving service delivery policies, processes and systems in order to provide effective, efficient and seamless resource consenting activities
• Day-to-day management of the team and assisting with HR and recruitment functions

What you’ll bring to the role / Ko wai tō Pukeka

You’ll have significant knowledge of the Resource Management Act and related legislation and will have worked in the field for a number of years. You’ll be a confident and capable leader and will enjoy mentoring a team and seeing their capabilities grow. You’ll have strong organisational skills and the ability to effectively allocate your team’s resources.

To best succeed in this role, you’ll have:

• A degree in Planning or a related qualification; membership of the New Zealand Planning Institute
• Strong communication skills with the ability to relate well to various personality types
• Experience in working with the resource consent process
• Leadership experience, whether in a previous team leader role or as a senior planner who has been involved in coaching and mentoring of planners
• Proven experience in stakeholder management

What we offer / Ko ā mātou whakaratoka

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, wellbeing, and professional growth, including:

• Southern Cross Wellbeing One Plan
• Discounted membership to our health and fitness facilities
• Hybrid working practices
• Genuine commitment to your training and career development
• Competitive market remuneration

To apply, please follow the link or for any questions, please contact Fiona Blight, Manager Resource Consents, on [e-mail].

Applications close: Friday, 28th November 2025.

Please note we will review and process applications as they come through; we encourage your early application.