Senior Strategic Advisor To The Chair

Job Category : Government, Defence & Emergency

Provide strategic, nuanced advice to shape Council and regional priorities

Contribute to influential relationships and Treaty partnership across the region

Join a values-driven organisation at a time of exciting change

Waitaha - our Canterbury region - is like no other and we are proud to call it home.

We have the privilege of working with Papatipu Runanga, stakeholders and our wider community to protect our environment, including water, land and air through regulation and planning.

As a Regional Council we're responsible for flood protection, public transport, civil defence, and more.

Together we're taking action to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations.

Toitu te marae o Tane, toitu te marae o Tangaroa, toitu te tangata | if the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.

Regional government is facing down some of the most significant changes to our external environment since

During this three-year term, our Council and Chair will navigate challenges such as new resource management and local government legislation, funding opportunities and constraints, environmental pressures, regional relationships, Tiriti partnership, and high community expectations.

It's a complex time to achieve the environmental and economic outcomes that our communities expect.

So Canterbury needs your talent and skill to help us take up the wero.

This senior role supports the Chair of the Canterbury Regional Council to shape and deliver Council's strategic goals during this time of significant change for regional government.

You'll provide the Chair robust, timely strategic and tactical advice on emerging issues, and help them shape advocacy strategies and connections with the community, stakeholders and partners.

Working closely with the Principal Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive and Governance team, you'll ensure the Chair is well-informed and prepared to navigate the challenges and opportunities in front of the Council.

Expect a dynamic environment where political acumen and adaptability are key.

Key responsibilities

Deliver strategic and tactical and insights to support the Chair at a time of significant change for regional government

Support the Chair to grow and maintain strategic external relationships and partnerships, including with Canterbury Mayors, central government, and Ngai Tahu Papatipu Runanga

Prepare communications and briefing material to support the Chair's influence at a regional and national scale

Build and maintain strong relationships across the organisation to inform your advice

Support the Chair with governance and meeting processes and stakeholder engagement

Contribute to Treaty partnership excellence

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

You're a politically astute, trusted advisor who thrives on making the complex simple.

With at least 5 years' experience advising senior decision-makers and building trusted relationships, you bring exceptional communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities calmly.

You hold relationships at all levels across the organisation.

You look up and out, have a great risk radar, and proactively identify strategic and tactical opportunities.

Understanding of te ao Maori and Ngai Tahutanga is advantageous.

You'll have a tertiary qualification in political science, public policy or environmental management (or similar) along with :

5 years of experience in roles providing advice to, and building trust with, decision-makers in a political environment

Strategic thinking and sound judgment, with the ability to provide nuanced advice that is apolitical but politically astute

Strong relationship-building and public relations skills

Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively

Integrity and adaptability, including ability to work at pace with key internal and external relationships to resolve issues

Advanced digital literacy

Our mahi is underpinned by our values :

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment.

We value everyone's contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Maori into our work.

The Chair has a key role in this.

We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Maori, matauranga Maori, and te reo Maori in our daily work.

We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Maori journey.

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Patrick Lindsay, Principal Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive, at

Applications close on Sunday 16 November.

Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date.

We reserve the right to close advertising early.

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.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

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