Manager Science

Te whakapakari tahi i tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

Are you passionate about creating a sustainable future for the community? At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, we're on a mission to build a region where environmental health and community prosperity go hand in hand. As a regional council, we're not just about managing resources; we're about fostering innovation, driving scientific excellence, and shaping the future of our region for generations to come.

We're seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to join us as the Manager Science. Science underpins everything we do, and this role is an influential one for us. In this role, you'll lead our high performing multidisciplinary team of talented scientist, driving initiatives that align with our vision and strategic direction. You'll have the opportunity to work withing the science arena and broadly across council with people who are passionate about making a difference for our community and their environment.

The role is based in the coastal warm province of Hawke’s Bay that offers great schools, a wide range of beautiful environments, great recreational opportunities, amazing eateries and wineries and is centrally located to main centres.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

Are you a strategic thinker and inspirational leader with a passion for driving positive change? We are looking for a visionary who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo and explore innovative solutions. You will have a proven track record of leadership in a technical, scientific or environmental organisation, with strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills. You will thrive in a collaborative environment and be committed to excellence in everything you do.

Ideally you will also have:

• Ph.D. or master’s degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g., environmental science, hydrology, ecology).
• A minimum of 10 years post-qualification experience in a relevant discipline.
• Proven leadership experience in a technical, scientific or environmental organisation.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Political nous and experience working in a government environment.
• Demonstrated track record of driving scientific excellence and sustainability initiatives.
• Ability to network and influence across the council, with government and within scientific communities.
• Resilience, adaptability, and flexibility to keep up with the ever-changing nature of HBRC. 

View the full job description here.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t think you meet the full list of requirements, if you are a great leader and believe you could be an excellent candidate for this role, we encourage you to reach out to us. 

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

HBRC offers a supportive and collaborative work environment where your contributions will make a significant impact on our region’s future. We provide competitive remuneration, professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference.

We value open and transparent communication and are willing to discuss compensation to ensure we find a mutually beneficial arrangement for the right individual. Our priority is to attract and retain top talent, and we're open to exploring options that align with your experience and expectations. Please don't hesitate to contact us for a friendly and confidential conversation about how we can make this opportunity work for you.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 5 weeks annual leave after 3 years
• 4% superannuation after 3 years
• Life insurance and income protection 
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives 
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment. 

See a full list of our staff benefits here .

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close 1 June 2024 but may close earlier if the right candidate is found.

Please apply through Seek. If you would like any further information regarding the role, please email recruitment@hbrc.govt.nz.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. 

2 May 2024

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