Are you passionate about creating memorable community experiences that bring people together? Do you thrive leading people, building partnerships, and delivering events that celebrate local identity and strengthen community connection?

Whangārei District Council is looking for an experienced and inspiring Festival & Community Events Lead to lead the planning and delivery of a vibrant programme of festivals, civic events, and community celebrations across our district.

About the Role

This is an exciting leadership opportunity to shape and deliver a diverse programme of events that reflect the unique identity of Whangārei while supporting Council's strategic priorities and Events Strategy. You'll lead a small, passionate team and work closely with community groups, iwi and hapū, event organisers, sponsors, Council teams, and other stakeholders to create high-quality, inclusive experiences for our communities

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of two to deliver community-led festivals and events.
• Manage the Mayoral Events portfolio, including citizenship ceremonies, Civic Honours, and the Mayor's Seniors Christmas Concert.
• Build strong relationships with community organisations, iwi, hapū, sponsors, funding partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Project managing community and grassroots components of major events and festivals.
• Manage event budgets, reporting, and performance measures.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, licensing, permitting, and regulatory requirements.
• Foster a team culture aligned with Councils Tikanga, Mission and Vision.

You'll ideally have:

• A Level 5 qualification in Events or Project Management, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in leadership and delivering multi-event programmes.
• Strong project management and budget management skills.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and relationship-building capability.
• A collaborative, proactive, and solutions-focused approach.

Why Join Us?

As well as living and working in one of New Zealand's most beautiful regions, you'll be joining an organisation that is deeply committed to achieving our vision of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable district.

Here's what we believe makes us stand out:

• Impactful Work - Play a key role in delivering festivals, events, and community experiences that bring people together, celebrate local identity, and enrich the lives of people across our district.

• Values-Led Culture - Join a supportive and collaborative team guided by our organisational tikanga of Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Kotahitanga, and Atawhaitanga. We're passionate about what we do and committed to making a positive difference.

• Security - Enjoy additional peace of mind with access to subsidised health and life insurance premiums.

• Flexibility - We are committed to supporting work-life balance and providing flexibility when it's needed most, recognising that life doesn't always fit neatly into business hours.

• Lifestyle - Make the most of everything Northland has to offer. From stunning beaches and outdoor adventures to vibrant communities and a relaxed pace of life, you'll also benefit from additional leave entitlements to help you enjoy it all.

Ready to apply?

If you are ready to embark on this exciting journey with us, please send through your C.V and a compelling cover letter outlining why you're a great fit for this role! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the People and Capability team on 0800 932 463.