- Steward of strategy, policy and planning
- Lead delivery of community services
- A progressive rural district in South Canterbury
Waimate District Council is a small District Council, with a strong team focus and a ‘can do – will do’ approach to leading and managing Council’s projects and activities. Council’s vision for Waimate District is to lead their community towards a diverse, thriving and sustainable district.
Waimate is home to around 7,900 people over 3,582sq kms, located 40 minutes’ drive south west of Timaru, and between Christchurch and Dunedin. The district is the gateway to the Waitaki Lakes and spectacular Mackenzie basin enroute to Aoraki/Mount Cook and Queenstown, or south to Dunedin. Self-described as a small district with a big heart, the township of Waimate is the centre of this agriculturally rich community, steeped in natural beauty of rolling farmland and native bush.
With a total income of $21 million per annum and employing approximately 58 full time equivalent staff, Waimate District Council is working with their community to continue to champion opportunities for the betterment of the Waimate District and its community, ensuring this district is the best place to live, work, visit and play.
This is an opportunity for candidates who can point to executive leadership experience and an understanding and affinity for rural issues. The Community and Strategy Group Manager reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is part of the Leadership Team with 5 direct reports.
A role with variety and broad influence, you will be responsible for delivering high quality policy and community planning advice, statutory planning for Council’s Annual Plans, Long-Term Plans, and Annual Reports and promoting the health and wellbeing of the community through the delivery of community-centric services such as the Library and Event Centre operations.
The role requires a person who can demonstrate highly effective time management to support business cadence and the calendar of Council planning and policies along with:
- Strong senior experience in strategic planning and policy writing
- Ability to understand, analyse, interpret, and disseminate advice on legislation, strategies, policies, and best practice guidelines
- Experience with budgeting in a business operational setting, preferably local government
- An ability to liaise with a wide variety of stakeholder groups
- Experience in local government or similar operating environment
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and time management skills
- An eye for detail.
A relevant tertiary qualification and experience with project management, report writing and presenting at a governance level is desirable.
You can find further information on the Council’s Long Term Plan here: https://www.waimatedc.govt.nz/council/publications/long-term-plans
Further information on the Council’s District Plan can be found here:
https://www.waimatedc.govt.nz/council/publications/district-plan