Are you a strategic leader who can connect people, assets, and planning to build stronger communities?

Napier City Council is evolving how we deliver community services and infrastructure to ensure our city is resilient, well-planned, and ready for the future. We’re seeking a confident and collaborative leader to step into the role of Head of Community Resilience & Assets—a pivotal position that brings together community resilience, emergency management, and building asset stewardship.

This role sits at the intersection of community outcomes, organisational collaboration, and asset planning, ensuring the spaces and services our community relies on are safe, sustainable, and future-focused.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

This is a highly influential leadership role where you will shape how resilience and community infrastructure are considered across Council.

Working closely with Executive leaders and subject matter experts, you’ll guide strategy, strengthen organisational alignment, and ensure our community facilities and resilience planning support Napier’s long-term needs.

Rather than being the technical expert in every discipline, your role is to bring together specialists, provide strategic direction, and ensure work programmes are aligned, well prioritised, and delivering for the community.

In this role you will:

• Provide strategic leadership across community resilience, emergency management, and building asset planning

• Work across the organisation to ensure community infrastructure and resilience considerations are integrated into Council planning

• Support and empower technical specialists responsible for asset management, renewals, and capital planning

• Lead complex programmes and initiatives that strengthen Napier’s ability to respond to change and future challenges

• Build strong relationships internally and externally, including with Executive leaders, iwi, community organisations, and partner agencies

• Represent your function at senior leadership discussions and contribute to Council-wide strategic decision making

He kōrero mōhou - About You

You are a confident and collaborative leader who enjoys working across disciplines and bringing people together to deliver meaningful outcomes.

You may come from an asset, infrastructure, emergency management, property, or community resilience background, and while you may have deeper expertise in one area, you have the ability to see the bigger picture and connect people and programmes across the organisation.

You’re comfortable operating in senior environments, engaging with executives, and presenting ideas that influence strategic direction.

Most importantly, you are someone who builds strong relationships, creates clarity in complex environments, and enables teams to deliver their best work.

Ideally you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Asset Management, Engineering, Emergency Management, Community Planning, Public Policy, or a related field

• Experience leading or influencing complex programmes or strategic initiatives

• Strength in relationship building and collaboration across multiple teams or organisations

• An understanding of asset planning, resilience, infrastructure, or community service delivery

• Confidence engaging with senior leaders and contributing to strategic discussions

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

• 5 weeks' annual leave after 2 years service

• Discounted health insurance work scheme + Eye test subsidy

• Retailer discounts + study assistance

• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)

• Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club

• Free flu vaccinations (annual)

• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka

• Te Reo Māori language classes

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity working 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday. You’ll be based in Napier CBD.

The annual salary package for this role is $154,500-$181,800 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer dependent on your skills and experience.

We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person.

He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.

Please visit Napier City Council Careers website to see full job description

Job Description – Head of Community Resilience & Assets