• Lead high-impact strategic work that helps shape the future of the district and outcomes for the community
• Diverse and meaningful portfolio spanning strategy, policy, insights, and community engagement
• Flexible working, supportive leadership, and the opportunity to lead a skilled and collaborative team

This is a rare opportunity to lead strategic thinking and evidence-based policy in a time of significant change for local government. Reporting within our Strategy Team, you'll lead a high-performing team responsible for strategy and policy development, providing data and insights that guide strategic community-centred decision making.

Working closely with senior leaders, elected members, iwi, and stakeholders across the organisation, you'll help ensure Council is well-positioned to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges, and the evolving needs of our communities.

About the role:

As Strategic Policy and Insights Team Leader, you'll lead a diverse and influential portfolio that sits at the heart of Council's long-term direction and decision making. This role combines strategic leadership, policy oversight, research and data insights, and people leadership, with a strong focus on ensuring Council is prepared for both current and future challenges.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the integration and ongoing development of Council's strategic framework and direction
• Providing high-quality strategic and policy advice across areas including climate resilience, infrastructure planning, and long-term community wellbeing
• Leading strategy, bylaw, and policy reviews to ensure legislative compliance and alignment with community expectations
• Overseeing Council-wide data, insights, and research functions to support evidence-based decision making
• Coordinating Council's response to government reform, including submissions, organisational analysis, and strategic advice
• Building a high-performing, collaborative team culture focused on technical excellence and continuous improvement
• Working closely with senior leaders, elected members, iwi, and key stakeholders across the community

This role leads a small specialist team and is suited to someone who enjoys operating at both strategic and operational levels — providing trusted advice while building strong organisational capability and culture.

About you:

We're looking for a strategic and collaborative leader who can navigate complexity, build strong relationships, and bring clarity to challenging issues.

You'll bring:

• Senior-level experience leading strategy, policy, planning, or insights functions within a complex organisation
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams and creating positive, inclusive team cultures
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to see the wider organisational and community picture
• Excellent critical thinking and analytical capability, with the ability to translate complex information into practical advice
• Confidence working with senior leaders, elected members, iwi, community groups, and external stakeholders
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to adapt your style for a range of audiences
• Experience leading organisational change, continuous improvement, and modern ways of working
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to bicultural practice
• Ideally, experience within local or central government and an understanding of the public sector environment

What we can offer:

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteer leave
• Three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension
• Discounts with local and national businesses

About us:

Selwyn is New Zealand's fastest growing district. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our head office is based in Rolleston (only 25km from Christchurch), which offers an enviable family lifestyle, outstanding local facilities and an easy drive to the ski fields, rivers and hills that make up Canterbury's stunning landscape.

Our values are important to us and represent the way we work: · Be a good human · Be brave - Think differently · Better together- Make it happen for Selwyn.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you'd like to play a part in making Selwyn the best place to live, work and play, join us today!