Economic Enablement Specialist

Join Us at New Plymouth District Council!

Tūhono mai ki Te Kaunihera-ā-Rohe o Ngāmotu!

Who are we? - Ko wai mātou?

Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu - New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is shaping the future of our district. We’re here to serve our community and create a place where people love to live, work and visit. Guided by the principles ofTe Tiriti o Waitangi, we’re committed to building strong partnerships that honour and celebrate our rich cultural heritage.

At Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu, we’re proud to be an inclusive and dynamic organisation that values people, creativity and progress. If you’re passionate about making a real impact and being part of something bigger, this is the place for you.

The opportunity - Te āheinga

Are you passionate about shaping the future prosperity of New Plymouth District?

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and strategic Economic Enablement Specialist to join our Community and Economic Development team on a 12-month fixed-term, full-time basis.

Reporting to the Executive Director Community and Economic Development, you will lead the establishment and delivery of Council's economic enablement programme of work. This newly focused role will ensure Council's policies, processes, investments and services are aligned to opportunities that support a resilient, productive and growing local economy.

Working across the organisation, you will provide specialist economic insight, advice and programme leadership to strengthen Council's contribution to economic outcomes for our district through its role as an enabler. You'll bring people together, build strong internal and external relationships, and help identify and drive initiatives that enable sustainable economic growth and community wellbeing.

This is a unique opportunity to influence strategic priorities, coordinate cross-Council efforts, and help create an environment where businesses, industries, investors and communities are enabled to thrive. If you're a collaborative leader with a strong understanding of economic development and a passion for delivering meaningful outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities - Ngā haepapa matua

• Lead and coordinate Council’s economic enablement programme of work to support a resilient, productive and growing local economy
• Provide specialist advice on economic opportunities, risks and implications to support Council decision-making, planning and investment
• Strengthen cross-Council coordination so that policies, processes, infrastructure planning, regulatory settings and services better enable economic outcomes
• Support Council’s role in regional economic priorities and partnerships, ensuring clear alignment with Venture Taranaki and avoiding duplication of economic development delivery
• Identify and progress opportunities for Council to use its levers to support business, industry, investment and development outcomes
• Monitor, report and provide insight on Council’s economic enablement activity, including risks, gaps and opportunities for improvement
• Build strong internal and external relationships, using influence, judgement and specialist expertise to support collaboration, delivery and the ongoing evolution of Council’s role

Essential skills and experience - Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako

• Significant experience in economic development, local government, public policy, planning, infrastructure, business engagement, strategic partnerships or a related field
• Demonstrated experience leading or implementing complex programmes of work in an action-focused and timely way
• Proven ability in providing strong analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving specialist advice
• Experience preparing high-quality reports, briefings, submissions or decision papers for senior leaders and/or elected members
• Proven ability to build relationships, influence without direct authority, and work across organisational and sector boundaries to achieve common goals
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including government, iwi and hapū, business, industry and regional partners
• Understanding of economic development systems and the role of local government within them (desirable)
• Knowledge of the Taranaki context, regional economic priorities and economic growth challenges (desirable)

What we offer - Ngā ratonga

At New Plymouth District Council, we’re not just offering jobs - we’re building careers and creating a workplace where people thrive.

When you join us, you’ll discover:

• clear career pathways - to help you grow and succeed
• learning and development opportunities - that keep you ahead of the game
• support for personal and professional growth - so you can be your best self.

Plus, our People’s Package is designed with you in mind, covering five key pillars: wellbeing, development, benefits, culture and recognition.

You can expect to start in this one-year fixed-term, full-time role with a salary of between $124,047 - $133,694.

Why join us? | Ngā hua o tō hono mai?

Your wellbeing matters to us. We’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where your contributions are valued and celebrated. Together, we’re shaping a vibrant future for New Plymouth - one step, one idea, one achievement at a time.

Applications close on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.

Be part of a council that values people, culture, and opportunity.

Me tūhono mai koe kia tautoko I te Ngāmotu o āpōpō!

Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.