• Strategic leadership opportunity in SI’s largest Regional Council
• Drive high performance to deliver programmes in the community
• A well respected council with a strong employment brand

Aronga | About The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director Operations is a critical leadership role integrating strategic and functional alignment across the Operations Group, responsible for customer-focused delivery of the civil defence, land, water, air and coastal functions. This group was formed to bring all of Council’s operational services and functions together, to provide improved capacity, capability and customer focus and is on a journey of evolution. Building a values driven culture and putting the wellbeing of people at the heart of all we do, the Director Operations will:

• Drive high performance ensuring quality services are delivered to communities in accordance with values, strategies and Long-Term Plan/Annual Plan commitments;
• Oversee work programmes across portfolios of biodiversity & biosecurity, water & land, climate change & community resilience, air quality, transport & urban development, regional & strategic leadership;
• Lead the Canterbury Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group on behalf of the territorial authorities in the Canterbury region;
• Build strong, trusted, and enduring relationships with the Papatipu Rūnanga in Canterbury and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, to honour treaty obligations and exemplify treaty partner excellence;
• Lead, coach, and develop direct reports, supporting them to create a high performing and engaged workforce, ensuring the ongoing development and growth of kaimahi capability;
• Represent the organisation in interactions with the Council, community, and other agencies, actively engaging across regional and central government providing leadership on a range of issues.

Mātau ā-wheako | Skills & Experience

Candidates of interest will have executive leadership experience with significant experience leading operational delivery and services within a complex stakeholder environment. Success in this role will rely upon authentic leadership and your ability to interpret strategy through an operational and cultural lens, using high levels of political awareness, resilience and mana.

You will have:

• An understanding of the Resource Management Act and the machinery of government;
• Experience engaging and influencing Boards/Councillors at a strategic level, along with proven ability to successfully lead, develop and motivate large scale and complex teams;
• Proven experience successfully leading change, navigating stakeholders, understanding which levers to pull and be comfortable in a dynamic changing environment;
• Financial management expertise, including risk management, budgets, fiscal plans and the ability to process large amounts of data to make informed decisions.
• Strong relationship management skills, with a track record of successfully partnering with a broad range of stakeholders and agencies;
• Compelling verbal communication skills with strong report writing skills, and the demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret complex information such as legislation, policy, and financial;
• An understanding of the evolving public sector obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi; experienced in integrating Māori perspectives and values into organisational practice;
•  A minimum degree level tertiary qualification in a related speciality such as Resource Management, Planning, Finance.

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Environment Canterbury governs the largest region in New Zealand, with its area of jurisdiction comprising all river catchments on the east coast of the South Island from the Clarence River, north of Kaikoura, to the Waitaki River in South Canterbury. The region includes the Canterbury Plains, North and South Canterbury and the major braided rivers of the South Island. With a vision and purpose of “Taking action together to shape a thriving and resilient Waitaha / Canterbury, now and for future generations” Environment Canterbury is responsible for managing the region’s natural resources – the air, soil, water, and the impact of land use on the environment.

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

We are guided by our strategic drivers (pou):

Putting the community and our customers at the heart of everything we do

Growing our relationship with mana whenua into a true partnership

Maturing our governance model and understanding of our political environment

Removing pain for our people (and customers) by improving our systems and processes.

Whanonga Pono | Values                  

Manaakitanga | People first – people, customers and staff come first

Whanaungatanga | Collaboration – together works best

Kaitiakitanga | Stewardship – good decisions today for tomorrow

Pononga | Integrity – trust in us and our information

Māiatanga | Can do – be brave and make it happen