Technical Director - Planning

SLR Consulting; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

SLR Consulting seeks a Technical Director – Planning to lead onshore wind farm projects in New Zealand. The role focuses on RMA project management, fast-track approvals, and strategic planning advice grounded in renewable energy experience.

You will manage multi-disciplinary teams across NZ, coordinate with Growth Director and Planning leaders, mentor staff, and drive high-quality outcomes for clients while advancing SLR’s wind energy portfolio.

Qualifications

• Formal qualification in resource management planning or a related degree.
• NZPI membership obtained or in progress is preferred.
• 20+ years in planning and resource management, with renewable energy background.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate RMA-project management for high-value onshore wind farm opportunities in NZ.
• Lead client engagements, acting as the primary relationship owner across project lifecycles.
• Oversee resource management of wind farm projects to meet time and budget targets.
• Promote collaboration across SLR disciplines involved in renewable energy delivery.
• Support business development and growth across NZ wind projects.

Skills

NZ planning experience

RMA expertise

Client relationship management

Mentor/coach

Stakeholder engagement

Renewable energy experience

Education

Resource management planning qualification

NZPI membership (obtained or in progress)

Job description

Technical Director – Planning

About The Business And The Role

Do you believe you can make the world a better place?

SLR’s purpose is Making Sustainability Happen, which we achieve by having a team of experts who partner with our clients to tackle some of the world’s most complex sustainability Challenges. SLR is an international environmental consultancy with a globally recognised reputation for providing high quality tailored services. With 1200+ staff across Asia Pacific, we provide consultancy advice and support on a wide range of strategic and site-specific issues to a diverse and growing base of business, regulatory and governmental clients. We celebrate a ‘One Team Culture’, where bringing together diversity of thought and expression is key to building the best team to deliver excellent results.

Role

Due to the continued growth of the New Zealand Renewable Energy Sector and in particular our increasing client demand for specialist wind energy expertise, we are creating a new Technical Director – Planning role with specialist focus on the RMA-project management and consent acquisition of onshore wind farms in New Zealand. The key focus of this role will primarily be to lead on the delivery of onshore wind farm projects and provide high quality strategic and technical planning advice grounded in sector experience to our renewable energy clients. As part of this role, it is anticipated you will manage and collaborate on multi-disciplinary wind energy projects across SLR and with other professionals. Your work will span across different geographical locations across New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Co-ordination, proposal preparation and RMA-project management within the Planning practice for high value, technically complex and/or strategic onshore wind farm opportunities within the New Zealand planning framework, including Fast Track Approvals Act.
• Being a trusted advisor to your clients on all aspects of the planning process, including Fast Track Approvals.
• Leading client engagements, acting as the primary relationship owner throughout project lifecycles and support related key client initiatives, including strategic engagement through to day to day activities.
• RMA-project management of onshore wind farm projects to meet time and budget expectations across the project consent lifecycle, including the project management of internal SLR technical specialists and external consultants.
• Promoting a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing across the SLR disciplines involved in renewable energy project delivery.
• Establishing strong working relationships with clients, other professionals and the team across SLR.
• Support and seek business development opportunities to ensure our business, teams, and people continue to grow, thrive, and achieve performance metrics.
• Working closely with the New Zealand Growth Director, Planning Practice Manager, Planning Managers, Team Leaders and Technical Directors to manage resources and grow and develop our delivery and technical skills across onshore wind farm projects.
• Undertaking technical and peer reviews of reports.
• Staying updated with industry trends and best practices, participating in technical associations and forums.

Skills And Experience

• A professional qualification in resource management planning or other relevant degree.
• Obtained or working towards full NZPI membership.
• 20+ years' experience in planning and resource management
• Proven track record, grounded in Renewable Energy sector experience, of winning work, managing complex onshore wind energy projects, including through Fast Track Approvals process, and achieving financial targets.
• Recognised as an industry expert within the resource management renewable energy sector.
• Proven track record of managing stakeholder engagement processes including experience with engagement with mana whenua.
• Strong client relationship management skills.
• Experience as a mentor and coach that can support the growth of SLR’s staff.
• Demonstrated experience working in multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to support our client base.
• Effective communication with colleagues and clients.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage multiple deliverables on competing timeframes.

Our Benefits

We are proud of our unique culture where we work together to collaborate on projects to get the best possible outcome for our clients. SLR supports flexible working arrangements as we recognise that every person is different, and our benefits aim to ensure that we cater for all.

You can find a comprehensive list here.

Next Steps

We make hiring decisions based on your experience, skills and passion. Please note that interviews are conducted with gender diverse interview panels to the best of our ability. When you apply, please tell us the pronouns you use and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process.

Unsolicited resumes from recruitment consultants will not be accepted. You must be part of the preferred supplier agreement list which is coordinated through our Talent Acquisition team.