Policy & Strategy Manager
Are you a Policy and Strategy leader ready to take the next steps in your leadership journey and contribute to our region?
We’re looking for a Policy and Strategy Manager to lead our organisational environmental and community policy work, and play a key role in external policy direction discussions.
The role
You’ll lead a talented team working across policy, rural, climate change and iwi and hapu engagement. You’ll guide and manage our policy monitoring, evaluation, reporting and development in line with our broader strategic direction and relevant plans, as well as leading policy and rural advice, and driving policy in consultation with iwi and hapu.
You’ll provide leadership and guidance to a skilled team navigating a complex landscape. You’ll ensure there’s collaboration and integration of science and evidence based analysis into the team’s work, and be the voice of sound policy advice to Council, the Executive, and colleagues.
This is a permanent role, based in Palmerston North.
About you
You’ll be a seasoned policy and strategy specialist, with experience leading and mentoring a team of professionals.
While your policy experience might be from local or central government, or from the consulting field, you’ll be astute to strategic opportunities and the intricacies of government instruments and how they impact our work, our resulting response, and implementation.
You’ll have:
- proven people leadership experience
- deep policy experience and a strong understanding of legislation pertaining to local government
- a sound understanding of te ao Māori and a commitment to partnership
- excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a collaborative spirit
- a tertiary qualification in policy or planning.
Ideally, you’ll bring experience from the local government sector but we’re keen to hear from policy and strategy professionals outside of this too. Given our work encompasses legislative change you’ll be able to compassionately lead and navigate through ambiguity and complexities. You’ll be a trusted advisor, a compassionate leader, and have a mindset that takes others on the journey too.
As this is a level three management role you’ll be committed to a high level of service delivery and professionalism, and the associated people and management responsibilities.
About Us
The Horizons region extends over 22,200km² – from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. Our purpose is to work with and for our community in the use and protection of our environment, managing our precious resources of land, air and water; as well as public transport and a key role in emergency management. At Horizons Regional Council we work to make our region a healthy environment where people are thriving, including our staff.
Based in Palmerston North we’re a family friendly organisation, and our people enjoy a balanced work/home lifestyle, with the great outdoors on the doorstep.
Our benefits include:
- ongoing professional development and opportunities across the organisation
- a positive focus on employee health and wellness initiatives including a wellness day
- a day off on your birthday
- life insurance
- family friendly work environment
- supportive and social work environment.
Horizons is an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring we have a diverse and inclusive workplace to be reflective of the diversity of the region.
For more information about this fabulous opportunity or a detailed job description, please contact Jacaleen Williams at Talent International on 021 732 996 or Nicci McQueen on 027 297 8075.
Applications close on Sunday 22 June 2025 and may be reviewed as received. Please note you must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.