Team Lead

Overview

Team Leader – Planning Services

Shape growth, lead change, and drive planning excellence for a growing regional centre

The Opportunity

Palmerston North City Council is seeking a capable and collaborative people leader to step into the newly created Team Leader – Planning Services role. Reporting to the Manager of Planning Services and based on-site in Palmerston North, you’ll lead a team of 6 - 7 planners and support staff delivering resource consent services within the Planning Services team - part of the wider Development and Regulatory Group.

Working alongside a peer in a similar role, you’ll coach and support your team, uphold statutory compliance, and help shape a culture of planning excellence. This is a hands-on leadership role with a strong focus on continuous improvement, capability building, and customer responsiveness. You’ll also work across internal departments, with iwi partners, external consultants and contractors, to support high-quality, timely, and legally sound planning outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and support a team of regulatory planners and support staff
• Provide technical oversight and review planning decisions for quality and compliance
• Champion performance, service delivery, and process improvement
• Oversee contractor work and support hearing preparation
• Foster strong relationships across council, community, and mana whenua
• Contribute to budgeting, reporting, and navigating reforms

About You

You’ll have a tertiary qualification in planning or resource management and over 5 years’ post-grad experience, ideally in local government. You bring proven leadership or mentoring skills, with strong knowledge of the RMA and District Plans. NZPI membership (or equivalent) is preferred. You’re confident in consent processing, coaching, and engaging stakeholders, and are analytical, organised, and adaptable. Experience in regulatory planning, technical team leadership, and working in political or iwi partnership contexts is a plus.

Why Apply?

How to Apply

To express your interest, please submit your CV and a cover letter to quoting vacancy reference #66.

Applications close

For further enquiries, contact Naomi Widener on or email via or John Bell on .

To view a copy of the position description, please go to and click "Opportunities".

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