• Advise on Council priorities, risks and emerging issues
• Work at the heart of regional decision making
• 18 months, fixed-term role with senior exposure and real impact

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

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

This is a fixed term role to provide cover while a permanent team member is on secondment. The role sits close to the centre of Council leadership and decision making, providing trusted strategic and practical advice to the Chief Executive. You will help ensure the Chief Executive is well briefed on key issues, priorities, risks and decisions, and support the flow of information between the Chief Executive, Chair, elected members, Executive Leadership Team and senior leaders. 

Key accountabilities:

• provide high quality strategic and tactical advice on key issues for the Chief Executive
• prepare briefing notes, discussion papers, meeting material and verbal advice
• maintain oversight of Council and Committee papers, agendas and emerging issues
• support sound decision making under local government legislation
• build strong internal and external relationships to support clear and timely information flow
• lead a small team supporting the functioning of the Office of the Chief Executive and Chair

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

Mōu │ About You

You will be a calm, trusted and politically aware advisor who can work with complexity, pace and ambiguity. You will be confident working with senior leaders, elected members and key stakeholders, and able to turn information from across the organisation into clear advice, sound judgement and practical next steps. You will bring strong writing, analysis and relationship skills, and be comfortable working in a role where discretion, judgement and trust are essential.

You will bring:

• strong political awareness and an understanding of local government
• experience providing advice to executives, boards or senior leaders
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• sound judgement, discretion and the ability to work with sensitive matters
• strong planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities

 Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

We are looking for someone with experience in public policy, local government, governance, executive advisory work, or a similar strategic advisory role. Experience interpreting legislation, supporting formal meeting processes, preparing senior level advice, and working across complex stakeholder environments would be valuable. A tertiary qualification in political science, public policy, environmental management, or a related area is preferred. 

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 and mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

Applications close on Sunday, 24 May 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