Senior/Principal Planner - Team Lead

Senior/Principal Planner – Team Lead We’re looking for an experienced Senior/Principal Planner to guide and grow our Tauranga‑based planning team. This is a leadership role where you’ll combine strong technical planning expertise with people leadership, client management, and strategic input to help shape sustainable communities across Aotearoa. You’ll lead projects end-to-end, support the development of our planners, and play a key role in business development and market engagement. You will: Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of planners, fostering a high‑performance, supportive, and inclusive team culture. Drive technical excellence and consistently strong project performance across a diverse planning portfolio. Lead multidisciplinary project teams to deliver high‑quality outcomes on time and within budget. Manage project pipelines to support sustainable, long‑term business growth. Provide trusted, pragmatic planning advice to clients across the public and private sectors. Promote collaboration, innovation, and a strong client‑focused approach across all projects. Provide expert advice on resource management planning matters. Prepare and review district and regional plan changes, submissions, and high‑quality technical reports. Lead resource consent applications, assessments of environmental effects, and community engagement processes. Ensure best‑practice planning outcomes aligned with relevant legislation, policy, and regulatory frameworks. Build and maintain strong client relationships and strategic partnerships. Support commercially successful project delivery, including pricing, financial performance, and risk management. Actively contribute to business development, strategic planning, and market growth opportunities. Act as a visible and credible representative within professional, industry, and community networks. You will bring: A tertiary qualification in planning, resource management, or a related discipline. Membership of NZPI, EIANZ or a similar professional body. 8‑10+ years’ professional experience in resource management or planning. Proven experience leading people and projects in a consulting or similar environment. Strong knowledge of the Resource Management Act, Local Government Act, and planning frameworks. Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and client management skills. Commercial awareness and a solutions‑focused mindset. High emotional intelligence, integrity, and a collaborative leadership style. #J-18808-Ljbffr