Head of Resilience and Emergency Management

This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape resilience and emergency management across one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts.

The Opportunity

As Head of Resilience and Emergency Management, you will provide strategic leadership for Council's resilience and emergency management function, ensuring our organisation and communities are prepared, connected, and ready to respond to and recover from emergencies and significant disruptions. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, elected members, iwi, emergency services, government agencies and community partners, you will play a critical role in protecting and strengthening the Waikato district.

What will I do?

• Lead the development and implementation of Council's resilience and emergency management strategy.
• Provide trusted strategic advice to the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team and elected members on resilience, emergency management and organisational risk.
• Drive capability across the 4Rs of emergency management: Reduction, Readiness, Response and Recovery.
• Ensure Council maintains a high level of operational readiness, including emergency planning, training, exercises and response systems.
• Lead emergency management responses and recovery activities when required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with iwi, community groups, emergency services, neighbouring councils and government agencies.
• Embed resilience thinking into Council planning, infrastructure, service delivery and climate adaptation initiatives.
• Lead, mentor and develop a specialist team while providing sound financial and programme management.

What will I bring?

• Proven senior leadership experience in resilience, emergency management, crisis management, civil defence, recovery or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of emergency management frameworks, legislation and multi-agency operating environments.
• Demonstrated experience influencing and advising senior leaders, governance groups or elected officials.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience building organisational capability and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong strategic thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills, particularly in complex and high-pressure situations.
• Experience working with diverse communities and partnering effectively with iwi and Māori organisations.
• Relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent senior-level professional experience.

Why join our team?

There's never been a more exciting time to join us.

We're progressing through a significant organisational transformation that is creating new opportunities, strengthening how we work, and positioning us for the future. As part of this journey, you'll be encouraged to bring new perspectives, challenge thinking, and help shape a workplace culture built on collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

In return, we'll support your growth with meaningful development opportunities, ongoing learning, and pathways to help you achieve your career aspirations

Additional Information

Salary circa $170K dependent on skills and experience.

Waikato District Council offers a range of benefits to employees:

• Enjoy free parking.
• Make work, work for you with flexible working options.
• Benefit from annual performance and remuneration reviews.
• Access subsidised health insurance.
• Celebrate with a day of birthday leave.
• Receive a work-life balance day every six months after your first year.
• Access confidential support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Take advantage of our employee wellbeing programme.
• Receive free health checks, training and education at our annual Work Safe Home Safe event.
• Save with Boost discounts and special offers from New Zealand retailers and service providers.

Please note we will be screening applications as they come through.

We have a strong safety culture and as part of this our preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment medical assessment which includes alcohol and drug testing.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

To apply for this job, please go online to www.joinourteam.co.nz and enter the job code 39927LGC.