Significant and complex work programme ahead We are privileged to work with Nga Papatipu Runanga, stakeholders, and our wider community to protect Waitaha - our Canterbury region. As a Regional Council, we're responsible for environmental regulation and protection, community preparedness and response to hazards, and public transport. The Team Leader will lead our newly established Plan Hearings Team. This is a pivotal role within the Planning Section, reporting to the Regional Planning Manager. The team will be responsible for the upcoming Regional Policy Statement (RPS) hearings and will also be instrumental in driving a diverse range of planning initiatives through the statutory hearings process, including a range of urgent plan improvements in Plan Change 8 alongside a Review of the Canterbury Coastal Plan and the integration of the Land, Water, and Coastal Plans into a single regulatory document. This is an exciting time for our region, as we look to refine and align our policy framework to meet future challenges and community expectations. As the Team Leader, you will guide and support your team through these significant processes, ensuring robust, transparent, and well-managed hearings that reflect the needs and values of all stakeholders. You'll play a crucial role in partnering with mana whenua to ensure their rights, interests, and voices are meaningfully incorporated into all stages of the planning and hearings processes. Key Responsibilities: Lead & manage the Plan Hearings Team, providing strategic & operational direction. Oversee the preparation & delivery of the Regional Policy Statement hearings. Engage with mana whenua to ensure their active participation in the hearings & plan processes. Ensure hearings & associated processes are compliant with legal & regulatory requirements. Lead the team through upcoming plan changes, including the review of the coastal plan. Provide leadership on issues & manage challenges that arise during hearings & plan processes. You are an experienced planning or legal professional with a strong background in environmental and resource management. You have significant experience in leading teams, managing complex hearings, and engaging with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. You understand the importance of building partnerships with mana whenua and have a track record of fostering collaborative relationships. You thrive in a dynamic, policy-driven environment and have a passion for fostering collaboration and making a difference for the Canterbury region. Our values underpin everything we do. We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone's contribution, diverse thinking, and skills. We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Maori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Maori, matauranga Maori, and te reo Maori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Maori journey. Applications close on Sunday, 27 October. We will review applications as we receive them and reserve the right to close advertising early. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. #J-18808-Ljbffr