Team Leader, Advice and Improvement, Wellington
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Wellington City Council

Team Leader, Advice and Improvement

  • Posted Today
  • On Site
  • Full Time

Wellington

Job Description

Wellington is growing, changing, and facing increasingly complex opportunities and challenges. From shaping how our city develops to improving the services we deliver to communities, our Planning and Development Group plays a critical role in creating a thriving, resilient, and sustainable capital. This is an opportunity to lead the team that helps make that happen.


We're looking for an experienced and strategic leader to join our Advice and Improvement team. Reporting to the Manager Advice and Improvement, you'll lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for business improvement, programme delivery, organisational change, governance, performance, risk, and strategic advice across the Planning & Development Group.


This is a highly influential role that sits at the heart of decision-making, partnering with senior leaders to drive improvement initiatives, deliver complex programmes, support organisational change, and ensure the Group is positioned to achieve its strategic priorities.


Āu ake mahi | What you'll do

You'll provide leadership across a broad portfolio of work, including:

  • Leading and developing a high-performing team of improvement, project, change, and business analysis professionals.
  • Providing strategic advice and insights to support informed decision-making.
  • Driving business improvement initiatives that enhance customer outcomes, operational performance, and regulatory services.
  • Leading significant programmes, projects, and organisational change initiatives across the Group.
  • Overseeing governance, assurance, performance reporting, and risk management activities.
  • Managing procurement processes, consultant contracts, and external partnerships.
  • Building strong relationships with senior leaders, elected members, government agencies, Mana Whenua, and sector stakeholders.
  • Championing a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration.


Ngā tohu me ngā wheako | Qualifications and experience

You'll be a trusted advisor and people leader with a proven track record of delivering results in complex organisations.


We're looking for someone who has:

  • Significant experience leading business improvement, transformation, programme delivery, or strategic advisory functions.
  • Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and developing high-performing people.
  • Strong knowledge of governance, assurance, risk management, and performance frameworks.
  • Experience delivering complex programmes, projects, and organisational change initiatives.
  • The ability to influence and partner effectively with senior leaders and stakeholders in politically aware environments.
  • Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capability.
  • Experience managing contracts, procurement activities, budgets, and external suppliers.
  • A commitment to continuous improvement and building organisational capability.
  • Knowledge of local government, planning, regulatory, or development environments would be advantageous.


Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities.

View our Employee Value Proposition Video to see what our employees say about working at WCC.


Diversity:

We want your application to enable you to portray the real you. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just formal employment.  If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the advert through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We welcome applications from all people and like our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.


Accessibility Support:

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: recruitment@wcc.govt.nz

Applications close 25 October 2026. Please note that we may engage with applicants prior to the vacancy closing and/or close applications ahead of this date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.


All applications must be submitted online and must have the right to work in New Zealand – we will not accept emailed applications.


Pre-employment Checks: All employees must undergo a Criminal Conviction Check, the results of which will be held on your employee file if employed.

If you have questions, please contact Moana Mackey, Chief Advisor, moana.mackey@wcc.govt.nz

Desired Hard Skills

  • Programme Delivery
  • Business Improvement
  • Governance
  • Organisational Change
  • Risk Management

Desired Soft Skills

  • Problem Solving
  • Decision Making
  • Influencing
  • Leadership
  • Strategic Thinking

Additional Compensation

  • Performance Bonus

Benefits & Perks

Culture

  • 🤱 Extended Parental Leave
  • 🏛 Fully Paid Jury Service
  • 🏘 Work from Home
  • 🧕 Inclusive Workspace
  • ❤ Care and Appreciation
  • ⚖ Work-Life Balance Support
  • 🧠 Mental Health Workshops
  • 💚 Counselling Services
  • 💪 Physical Health Workshops
  • 🌿 Wellness Program
  • 🏥 Subsidised Health Insurance
  • 📈 Professional Development
  • 🏎 Competitive Salary
  • 🎉 Employee Discounts and Rewards
  • 🎖 Long Service Rewards
  • 💻 Company Supplied Technology
  • ⏰ Flexible Work
View All
  • 🧠 Neurodiverse
  • 💰 Wage Equality
  • 🏃 Women Leadership
  • 👩 Woman CEO
  • 💸 Living Wage
  • 🤝 Unionisation
  • 🙌 Community Focused
  • 🌐 INZ Accredited Employer
View All

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