Team Leader - Planning

Team Leader – Planning

• Lead and empower a talented team
• Drive innovation and process improvement
• Contribute to sustainable development and exceptional customer experiences.
  

About the organisation

Invercargill City Council is shaping the future of New Zealand’s southernmost city – a place known for its commitment to community, resilience, and ambition. The Council plays a critical role in enabling sustainable development, providing excellent customer service, and fostering a thriving community where people want to live, work, and invest.

With a culture built on Responsibility, Respect, Positivity, and Going Above and Beyond, ICC empowers its people to make a genuine impact while working in a supportive, forward-thinking environment.

Are you looking for a role where you can step into your next challenge, or are motivated to extend your current capabilities for the long-term benefit of the Council, and your career.

About the Role

The Team Leader – Planning is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality planning, building, and resource consenting services. This pivotal role ensures consenting activities are compliant with legislative and accreditation requirements while remaining efficient, customer-focused, and aligned with Invercargill’s sustainable growth objectives.

Leading a capable and collaborative team, you will provide both operational leadership and technical oversight across a varied portfolio of work. You will also play an important role in driving process improvement initiatives, supporting organisational capability, and fostering a culture focused on continuous improvement and customer service excellence.

In this role, you will:

• Lead, coach, and support a team of professionals to deliver quality outcomes aligned with statutory requirements and Council objectives.
• Oversee the effective processing of consents and applications, ensuring strong customer outcomes and legislative compliance.
• Coordinate and manage work completed by external contractors and consultants.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and service delivery outcomes across the function.
• Build strong relationships across Council, with contractors, consultants, iwi, developers, and other external stakeholders to support collaboration and shared success.
  

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity suited to someone who enjoys balancing operational excellence with people leadership and strategic contribution. You will join an organisation that values initiative, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

About You

You will be an experienced planning professional with proven leadership capability and a passion for delivering positive outcomes for both people and place. You will bring strong technical expertise, sound judgement, and the ability to navigate complex issues with confidence.

You will also bring:

• Experience leading or mentoring teams within planning, consenting, regulatory, or related environments
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks
• A collaborative and solutions-focused approach
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• A commitment to continuous improvement and customer-focused service delivery
• A tertiary qualification in planning, building control, or a related discipline is essential.

This is an excellent opportunity to further develop your leadership capability, influence positive change, drive service excellence, and help shape the future of Invercargill and the wider Southland region.

Alongside a rewarding career opportunity, Invercargill offers an outstanding lifestyle – with affordable living, easy access to some of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural environments, and a strong sense of community.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the Decipher Group website at https://deciphergroup.co.nz/job-opportunities/team-leader-planning/ 

To learn more about the opportunity, visit Invercargill City Council at https://www.icc.govt.nz/

For a confidential discussion, contact Lisa Edwards on 021 240 4410 or email lisa@deciphergroup.co.nz

We will be actively screening candidates upon application, so we encourage you to apply now.