Technical Director - Planning

GHD Group; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

GHD is seeking a highly experienced Technical Director to join our New Zealand Planning team in Auckland. This leadership role requires delivering complex planning outcomes, managing projects, and strengthening client relationships within New Zealand's infrastructure market.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior planners, and contribute to the growth of the NZ Planning group through proactive engagement and market insight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 20 years’ experience in planning ideally with a focus on infrastructure.
• Full Membership of the NZPI.
• Established client relationships and networks.
• Excellent people and networking skills.
• Proactive, decisive, and problem-solving skills.
• Some international experience is advantageous; Auckland-based or willing to relocate to Auckland.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and technical leadership on planning and multi-disciplinary projects.
• Act as a Project Manager or Project Director for complex projects including financial and programme management.
• Shape the direction and growth of the New Zealand Planning team through client relationships and market understanding.
• Coach and mentor less experienced planners to deliver quality outcomes.
• Grow professionally through training and active involvement in professional organisations and our GHD communities.
• Be part of a diverse, collaborative culture with flexible work-life balance.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Networking

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree

NZPI Full Membership

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

There’s no pledge more important than the one we make to have a positive impact on the environment and society, and we’re committed to helping you do exactly that.

Join us as we strive for a sustainable future for our communities and the world we live in.

Become part of our global network of skilled engineers, scientists, planners and environmental specialists, all working together to leave this world better than we found it.

We’re looking for a highly experienced and commercially savvy

Technical Directorto join our New Zealand Planning team, based in Auckland.

This is a technical leadership opportunity for a planner with deep consultancy and infrastructure experience to lead high-impact projects that shape the future of New Zealand. You'll bring proven expertise in delivering complex planning outcomes and winning work, with a strong understanding of the local market and planning environment.

Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers variety and will see you:

• Providing direction and technical leadership on planning and multi-disciplinary projects, including coordination of planning, environmental assessment and engagement services.
• Acting as a Project Manager or Project Director for complex projects including financial and programme management, collaborating effectively with project stakeholders to ensure positive client experience
• Shaping the direction and growth of the New Zealand Planning team through strong client relationships, networking and a strong market understanding to identify emerging opportunities.
• Working with a national team of planners, including supporting the growth and development of less experienced planners, coaching and mentoring them to deliver quality outcomes for our clients
• Growing yourself professionally through training and active involvement in professional organisations and our GHD global technical communities
• Being part of our diverse, collaborative and supportive GHD culture, with the ability to work flexibly for work-life balance

There’s no pledge more important than the one we make to have a positive impact on the environment and society, and we’re committed to helping you do exactly that.

Join us as we strive for a sustainable future for our communities and the world we live in.

Become part of our global network of skilled engineers, scientists, planners and environmental specialists, all working together to leave this world better than we found it.

We’re looking for a highly experienced and commercially savvy

Technical Directorto join our New Zealand Planning team, based in Auckland.

This is a technical leadership opportunity for a planner with deep consultancy and infrastructure experience to lead high-impact projects that shape the future of New Zealand. You'll bring proven expertise in delivering complex planning outcomes and winning work, with a strong understanding of the local market and planning environment.

Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers variety and will see you:

• Providing direction and technical leadership on planning and multi-disciplinary projects, including coordination of planning, environmental assessment and engagement services.
• Acting as a Project Manager or Project Director for complex projects including financial and programme management, collaborating effectively with project stakeholders to ensure positive client experience
• Shaping the direction and growth of the New Zealand Planning team through strong client relationships, networking and a strong market understanding to identify emerging opportunities.
• Working with a national team of planners, including supporting the growth and development of less experienced planners, coaching and mentoring them to deliver quality outcomes for our clients
• Growing yourself professionally through training and active involvement in professional organisations and our GHD global technical communities
• Being part of our diverse, collaborative and supportive GHD culture, with the ability to work flexibly for work-life balance

About you

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 20 years’ experience in planning ideally with a focus on infrastructure
• Full Membership of the NZPI
• Highly regarded and respected technical expert with strong consultancy background
• Established client relationships and networks
• Excellent people and networking skills
• Proactive, decisive, and problem-solving skills
• Strong analytical thinker; self-motivated and energetic
• Some international experience is advantageous
• Must be Auckland-based, or willing to relocate to Auckland

Our Hybrid Work Model

Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Ki GHD, ka ākina te kaimahi e mātou kia tutuki ōna ake moemoeā. Nā te mea, ko te kaha o te tangata te tuarā o te pakihi. Nā reira, he hiahia nō mātou ki te whiwhi kaimahi nō ngā ahurea tuakiri maha, nō whenua rerekē, tane mai, wahine mai.

At GHD we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities and invites applications from people of all nationalities, genders, and cultural backgrounds.

We respectfully ask that no agency resumes be presented at this stage.

Come together and make a meaningful impact.

We bring our people together to create something bigger and solve some of the world's most complex problems. Come and experience the power of commitment and see strategy and ideas come to life when you join GHD.

Let's drive real change.

Our Pledge to You

At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day.

That’s why we pledge to empower our people to make a positive impact. Combining our deep technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners, we respond to some of the most complex challenges facing our planet today.

See where your commitment could take you.

That’s the #PowerOfCommitment

Who We Are

GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, architecture, and construction expertise. We are an employee-owned company with over 11,000 diverse and skilled individuals, across more than 200 offices spanning five continents.

The Power of Commitment is our brand promise. It’s what makes us different. We are bound to our stated vision and determination to address humanity’s most urgent needs: to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come.