Strategy & Policy Manager

Are you ready to lead a dynamic strategy and policy team in one of New Zealand's most vibrant and growing cities? We're seeking an experienced and enthusiastic policy professional to take the helm of our dedicated strategy and policy team. This role is perfect for a senior-level professional looking for an exciting lifestyle change combined with meaningful career growth. Given recent team changes, this is an exceptional opportunity to build and shape your own team. We're looking for someone who can identify talent, nurture professional growth, and foster an effective team environment. Success in this role requires proven ability to lead complex policy projects, particularly the Long-Term Plan, and a track record of delivering robust policy advice. You'll be a strong people leader who possesses strong qualitative and quantitative research skills and, ideally, experience with larger scale strategy work. This position offers exciting opportunities to work flexibly and drive new initiatives within our core responsibilities of developing and reviewing the district's strategy, policies, and bylaws. We're seeking an innovative, positive, and motivated individual who shares our aspirations for our city. What you'll bring:

• Experience leading complex policy projects and cross-team collaboration, with Long-Term Plan project management experience being highly advantageous
• Strong stakeholder relationship building and influencing skills
• Exceptional communication skills to distil complex information into clear, compelling strategies, translating diverse input from leadership and stakeholders into actionable plans and comprehensive documentation
• Proven experience presenting to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated project management expertise and ability to meet deadlines
• Excellence in qualitative and quantitative research
• Exceptional attention to detail and a positive attitude

About Whanganui District A welcoming and warm city, Whanganui has been growing in population and businesses in recent years with the buzz of new families and represents an incredible lifestyle location - close to New Zealand's best outdoor experiences in bush, cycle trails, river and skiing. Whanganui combines rich heritage with modern innovation, centred around our stunning awa. This growing city offers an exceptional lifestyle with excellent schools, easy access to major centres, and a flourishing arts and cultural scene. Whanganui is Aotearoa/New Zealand's UNESCO city of design and has the range of arts and culture one would expect of a modern New Zealand city. You'll be instrumental in shaping this exciting chapter of our story while enjoying the rewards of life in our distinctive district. You will have a direct impact on the wellbeing of our communities, and diverse opportunities to further develop your leadership and technical skills. If you are eager to be part of our team, and you have what it takes to succeed in this role, we look forward to receiving your application. To find out more please contact Sarah O'Hagan, Chief Strategy Officer at sarah.o'hagan@whanganui.govt.nz . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may occur before the advertised closing date. As a result, this position may be filled and closed earlier than expected. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Please note: only applications submitted via our Whanganui District Council's careers page will be accepted. Interested? Please review the position description and apply via our careers site without delay: Reference code 6719651 Please note, only applications submitted via our careers page can be considered. #J-18808-Ljbffr