• Provide strategic advice to shape Council and regional priorities
• Join a values-driven organisation at a time of exciting change
• Flexible start/finish hours + WFH options + ability to purchase leave

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

 Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

Regional government is entering one of its most significant periods of change since 1989. Over the next three years, our Council will navigate new resource management and local government legislation, funding challenges and opportunities, environmental pressures, regional partnerships, Tiriti partnerships, and rising community expectations.

This senior position is part of our Strategic Policy team, playing a pivotal role in helping the Canterbury Regional Council shape and deliver its strategic priorities during a period of significant change for regional government.

It’s an exciting and complex time as we work to achieve the environmental and economic outcomes our communities expect. Canterbury needs your expertise and leadership to embrace the wero (challenge) and navigate the path ahead. With change comes opportunity—this is your chance to make a real impact and leave your mark.

 Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development of high-quality strategic analysis and policy advice for Council with a particular focus on local government reform and economic insights
• Deliver strategic and tactical advice on emerging issues facing the Council and organisation
• Help shape advocacy strategies and connections with community, stakeholders and partners
• Contribute to Treaty partnership excellence

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

We’re looking for a politically astute, experienced strategy advisor who is proactive and adaptable. You will have the ability to make the complex simple and offer innovative solutions that align with our strategic goals. You’ll be comfortable navigating change, have a great risk radar and a demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity.

Other skills include:

• Strong policy background in the public sector, with excellent relationship management skills
• Excellent written and verbal skills with the ability to communicate complex issues and concepts concisely to a range of audiences
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work at pace, and deal with ambiguity

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience 

You’ll have a tertiary qualification in economic policy, law, public policy, environmental management or a degree that demonstrates the ability for critical thinking along with:

• At least 8 years of experience in roles providing advice to, and building trust with decision-makers in a political environment
• Experience in econometrics or the ability to examine cost benefit analysis of policy decisions and future states highly desired
• A systems thinking mindset with approaches, models and frameworks at the ready
• Experience in managing and operating within organisational change
• Advanced digital literacy

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury 

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can 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 Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Emma Davis, Senior Strategy Manager, on 027 2515723.

Applications close on Sunday 25 January 2026.  Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We 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. 

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can