Unit Director Urban and Spatial Planning

This role sits within the Strategy, Growth and Planning Group who ensure we have long-term guardianship of strategic planning and development. They make decisions in the best interests of our city and our region (with a boundaryless view) and create inter-generational and environmental sustainability.

Our job is looking ahead for the future of our city.

He angituutanga: The opportunity 

Reporting to the General Manager Strategy, Growth and Planning, Hamilton City Council is seeking a visionary leader and city-shaper to head our Urban & Spatial Planning Unit. This role is central to shaping the future of the city. You’ll unlock residential and employment growth through best-practice urban planning, while protecting and enhancing the unique natural and built environment that defines Hamilton. We’re not about ticking boxes, our approach is solution-focused and customer-centric, with a strong emphasis on early engagement, urban design, and enabling economic development alongside environmental and community wellbeing.

As Unit Director you’ll set the strategic direction, champion a culture of high performance and collaboration, elevate standards and inspire your talented team to achieve outstanding results. This is a rare opportunity to step into a career-defining role where your vision and influence will help guide the future of New Zealand’s fastest-growing city and fourth largest. You’ll work closely with developers, iwi, government, and regional partners to deliver boundaryless planning outcomes sub-regionally through Future Proof.

If you're driven by the opportunity to shape vibrant, sustainable communities and excel in building meaningful partnerships, we invite you to bring your expertise and vision and join our Hamilton City Council team.

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Set/Enable/Expect leadership delivery and contribute to the growth and development of the unit by maintaining the appropriate levels of technical competency and behaviours.
• Develop proactive relationships with proponents of developments and initiatives so that early engagement ensures proposals are well understood. 
• Work closely with Senior Leaders across Council to advance projects that support the growth of Hamilton and our ability to deliver an effective city to ratepayers.
• Working with our partners – other councils, Government, iwi/mana whenua and stakeholders particularly the development community.
• Influence and advocate in areas of legislative reform (e.g., RMA reform) and provide advocacy with Government.
• Champion the opportunities for Hamilton and takes a flexible approach to enabling their realisation.
• Embrace trends in urban growth and translate these into action through new ways of planning or thinking.

Oo puumanawa me oo wheako | Your skills and experience

• A proven track record of thinking differently, acting with integrity, working together, and making it happen.
• Proven leadership skills with demonstrated ability to articulate the corporate vision and take people on a change journey.
• Self-awareness, that mindset, is the foundation of performance and an ability to develop self and others in this regard.
• Relevant tertiary qualification.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in planning/resource management with at least 5 years in a complex environment.
• Considerable experience in working with or within New Zealand Local Government.
• Leadership experience, at a minimum in a senior team leader role for five years.
• Ability to understand the commercial drivers and relate that to a project to seek solutions to issues where appropriate.
• Successful experience in leading a team.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, accurate analysis and prepare reports with recommendations.
• Attention to detail while retaining a ‘big picture’ focus.
• The ability to translate technical knowledge and information into ‘layman’s terms’ or business speak and vice versa.
• Ability to interpret and apply local government policies, laws, and regulations.
• Ability to identify and promote community economic development projects and initiatives.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of project management principles, practices, techniques, and tools.
• Political awareness.
• Commercial acumen.

He aha te wariu o te utu kaimahi? | What’s the salary? 

Circa $200k dependent on skills and experience.

Ngaa waahi whakarato painga kei a maatou: What we offer 

• Flexible by choice; an award-winning flexible working policy.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Two Wellbeing days per year.
• Free health insurance through Unimed including hospital/surgery grade cover and discounted. membership rates for family members.
• Free annual health checks and flu vaccination.
• Ability to purchase additional annual leave.
• Eye testing/glasses cost reimbursement.
• Discounted purchases from local businesses; gym memberships, cafes, dentists, hairdressers and many more.

Me Tono Inaaianei!: Apply Now! 

• View the position description.
• Click apply
• ​Complete your application.

If you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please combine this in the same file as your resume and upload as a PDF file. Alternatively, you can use the 'Write a message to the Hiring Team' text box.

Applications close on the: 31/08/2025

Note: We will be shortlisting as we receive applications.

Council is committed to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi through its relationship with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua and maataa waka within Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome on their application via email. 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. View more information about these checks, our commitment to the Privacy act and details for international applicants by clicking here

It is important to us that we support you throughout our selection process (interview and assessments). If you have any access needs during this process, let us know in advance so we can make sure these are met.

As a council, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and belongs. We value inclusiveness (Kotahitanga) – we respect and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents that everyone brings.

This role is being sourced directly. If/where Hamilton City Council requires the support of a recruitment agency, we will seek this support from our panel of selected agencies. Hamilton City Council will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any commissions, fees or other payments related to unsolicited contact.