Manager – District Development

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Manager – District Development. Terms and conditions vacancy

The Northland region continues to experience strong economic growth and Whangarei District Council has been identified as a high growth council in the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. Since early 2018 we have seen unemployment at its lowest levels since 2008, and households showing an increased confidence to make major purchases with an increase in spending of 6.8% compared to the same period last year – significantly above national averages. Business in the region is also going from strength to strength with guest nights, retail trade and tourism expenditure all showing growth over the last 12 months.

The Whangarei District Council is looking to further encourage commercial growth across the District, to have Whangarei developed as a tourist destination and for the district to be seen as a desirable place to live, work and play. 

We have an opportunity for a strong leader and experienced manager to join our Council in what will be a highly pivotal and strategic position and one which also requires an adept ability to influence others to implement initiatives successfully.

This is a commercially-focussed role which will see you working closely with businesses across the region and stakeholders across the country to boost the profile of the District as both a destination and as a place which achieves sustainable economic prosperity for the community. You will be responsible for the Council’s commercial property portfolio and maximising return on investment while ensuring desirable community outcomes through leveraging these assets. 

Key Early Objectives include:

• Work with your team to establish direction, strategy and proposed actions
• Link appropriate stakeholder groups to achieve outcomes
• Networking and creating relationships locally, regionally and nationally
• Developing and leading important initiatives across the District
• Working in partnership with Northland Inc. to achieve positive outcomes for WDC. 

To be successful in the role applicants would need to demonstrate the following skills:

• Strategic agility and the ability to work in a rapidly-changing environment
• Strong political acumen and a seasoned operator in the political environment
• Strong commercial acumen, influencing skills and customer focus
• Creative and innovative, and skilled at bringing the creative ideas of others to fruition
• Skilled at motivating others and ability to create a climate in which people want to perform
• Easily deals with new concepts, complexity and ambiguity
• Achievement-oriented with a strong track record of turning strategy into action
• Knows how to get things done both through formal channels and the informal networks and understands the cultures of organisations 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Encourages cooperation and collaboration and builds effective teams
• Understands and can empathise with differences in people and cultures
• The ability to self-manage, pick things up quickly and use experience to manage a diverse range of work
• A positive outlook and a methodical approach while having the ability to be flexible and adaptable when making tough decisions
• Sets clear objectives and measures and monitors, progress and results. 

This is a role that involves collaboration with many groups and individuals and will be suited to an individual with extensive experience operating at a strategic level and who has the ability to develop and implement strategy – this will sometimes mean changing direction at rapid pace to take advantage of present opportunities.

If you are ready to serve our community in this exciting but challenging role and believe you have the skills, experience and drive to deliver outstanding results then please apply today.

Whangarei is a district on the rise. It is Northland's only city and largest commercial centre. Nestled between the forest clad hills at the heart of the beautiful Whangarei Harbour, nowhere in the district is more than 40 kilometres away from our spectacular coastline and commuting to WDC's CBD location is a breeze. 

At Whangarei District Council we take our reputation as a lifestyle destination seriously and consider a range of flexible working and work/life balance options for those that want to work in a professional and progressive environment while still having the time to take advantage of everything our district offers.   

With median house prices currently at around $500,000, reputable schools, an outstanding natural environment and great, constantly developing facilities there's a lot that'll make you 'Love it Here!' 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the People & Capability team on: 09 430 4200 or 0800 932 463.

To apply for this position go to http://careers.wdc.govt.nz or click the apply now button.

Applications close 5pm Friday, 10 August 2018.  

Rob Forlong
CHIEF EXECUTIVE