Principal Strategy Advisor

Lead the development Waitaha Canterbury's Regional Strategies

Collaborative and supportive team environment

Flexible start / finish hours + WFH options + ability to purchase leave

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land.

We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngai Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region's evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services :

Environmental Regulation and Protection

Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards

Public Transport

As part of the Environmental Regulation and Protection Strategy Section, you'll help shape and deliver an integrated suite of Regional Strategies that align with long-term community outcomes — from biodiversity and biosecurity to air and water quality, land use, and braided river restoration.

As the Principal Strategy Advisor, you'll lead strategic thinking and planning across key regional strategies such as the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy, Regional Pest Management Plan, Land Strategy, Braided River Revival, and Air Quality Strategy.

You'll provide high-quality advice to support the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, and Council in setting direction and monitoring progress toward environmental outcomes for Waitaha.

For the right candidate, we're open to appointing at the Senior Advisor level.

A job description can be provided on request.

Key accountabilities :

Lead or contribute to the design, delivery, and review of regional strategies and implementation plans

Lead delivery of high-quality strategic and policy advice to senior leaders and elected members on a range of environmental, regulation and protection issues.

Systematically monitor and evaluate progress toward strategic outcomes

Provide technical guidance and support to staff across the Strategy & Planning Group.

Build individual capability & consistency across our work.

Develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with staff across the organisation and with partners.

Embrace and contribute to our positive team and organisational culture

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

You're an experienced Advisor who is proactive, adaptable, and ready to lead regional strategy development alongside a supportive and collaborative team.

You'll be a confident communicator, exercise diplomacy and discretion and be at ease persuading and influencing outcomes.

You'll have a relevant university qualification supported by a post graduate qualification or other relevant technical training along with :

At least eight years' relevant experience in the public or private sector

High standard of written communication and presentation skills is required

Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills and problem-solving abilities are essential.

Experience in strategy development, and the design and implementation of strategic monitoring and evaluation systems is highly desirable

Ability to successfully manage programmes and / or projects is required

Ability to coach colleagues within the organisation

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.

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 Tom Scott

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Applications close on Wednesday, 5 November.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, 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 may be required depending on 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.

While this position is advertised at the Principal Advisor level, we are also open to considering appointment at the Senior Advisor level for the right candidate.

Hours of work – Permanent Full time, 40 hours per weekLocation- Based at Environment Canterbury Offices – 200 Tuam Street, ChristchurchSalary-The indicitive salary range for role is $101,839 to $125,801 per annum based on skills and experience.The specific salary will be discussed at interview stage.

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