• Strong community and customer focussed role
• A forward-thinking ‘enabler’
• Based in Hokitika

About The Role: 

The Group Manager - Regulatory and Compliance is responsible for overseeing the regulatory and compliance functions across Westland District Council.  Reporting to the Chief Executive, this opportunity is a mix of strategic and operational skills. 

A key focus of the role is delivering a high quality, customer-focussed building control and planning function for the district.  This will involve applying a forward-thinking and innovative approach to how the function can be further developed.

Other key responsibilities include managing the Environmental Health, Liquor Licensing and Animal Control and Compliance functions of the Council.

With four direct reports, the role will require a person to develop and empower a high performing, customer-centric regulatory team while they look up, out and across the district, local government sector and beyond.  

Skills & Experience: 

The successful candidate will have a building control or planning background, with solid experience working with the RMA, building industry legislation and policies and procedures.  Ideally, you will have developed strong commercial skills, bring a strategic focus and understand how to balance a regulatory approach with positive outcomes.  This represents an excellent opportunity for an aspiring candidate to step up to executive level, in a supportive environment.

In addition, ideally you will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience developing a customer focussed culture within your team, as well as improving relationships and collaboration across the organisation.
• A good understanding of Council planning and regulatory responsibilities, with proven experience in the development and review of bylaws/policies (or equivalent).
• An understanding of the Council environment, and an appreciation for the political and sensitive nature of Local Government.

• Contract and financial management skills.
• A track record of team leadership, leading by example, modelling Council values.
• A high level of computer literacy with software proficiency covering a variety of applications.
• A Post Graduate Degree/Degree in a relevant subject area is essential.

The Westland District Council is in a strong position with good governance and leadership, with the Executive Team working together to build strong relationships across the business units.  Collaboration and continuous improvement are important themes as they work to deliver strategic outcomes and priorities for their community and district.

Benefits:

The real benefit of this role is the ability to have a tangible impact on the future of the Westland District. 

Working at Westland District Council also gives you an opportunity to showcase your strategic and operational expertise and broaden your skill set. This is an opportunity to work in an area that is surrounded by mountains, rainforest, rivers and lakes. You will become part of and contribute to a growing vibrant community, where the great outdoors is right on your doorstep. 

Other benefits include:

• Flexible work options
• Professional development opportunities
• KiwiSaver 3% additional
• Sick leave available upon commencement
• Additional three days leave between Christmas and New Year
• Positive workplace culture

About the District:

Located on the spectacular West Coast, the industries that support the local community are principally focused on the primary sector and include farming and horticulture; forestry; gold mining; tourism and hospitality; retail; and conservation.

Westland District aspires to lead through innovation and development of the natural resources and rich cultural history.

• The area has a number of large scenic reserves, which the Department of Conservation manages.  The whitebait season attracts visitors from all around New Zealand.
• The District is also home to Hokitika Airport and enjoys a reputation as the birthplace of the internationally renowned ‘Wildfoods’ Festival.  The iconic ‘Coast to Coast’ event attracts multi-national multi-sport athletes every year to Kumara beach just out of Hokitika.
• The Capital of Westland is the ‘cool little town’ of Hokitika which aims to be a world-class tourist destination having views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and sits at the northern gateway to the world famous South Westland World Heritage Area from Franz Josef down to Haast.  More recently, Hokitika and the West Coast have hosted the highest proportion of “staycation” visitors than any other tourist mecca in the country.
• Within the Westland District, the Council has been involved in leading several high profile initiatives, including the renowned ‘West Coast Wilderness Trail’, which is part of the Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Our aspirations, values and role

• Active leadership
  • Council works with integrity and honesty building the respect and confidence of the community.
• Togetherness
  • Building strong relationships and partnerships with stakeholders, encouraging citizens to play an active role within their communities for success.
• Future proofing
  • Safeguarding our unique natural environment and cultural heritage to support communities’ resilience in the face of social, economic, and environmental challenges.