Job Description

• Drive Auckland’s environmental future
• Influence across the Council group
• Combine strategy, influence and real-world delivery

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council’s Policy department has an opportunity for a Programme Manager Natural Environment to join the Natural Environment Strategy team on a fixed-term until July 2027 to cover parental leave.

This is a critical role for the Council and will focus on ensuring the team’s natural environment work programme achieves milestones and programme delivery, including linkages to other department input, delivery and organisational requirements for reporting. However, this is not a traditional programme management role - it's hands-on and helping to create direction and traction.

You could expect to work on:

• tracking and facilitating the organisational implementation and refresh of the Auckland Water Strategy, with subject matter experience on how various parts of the council group contribute to this broad strategy.
• programme support for the Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy’s development and adoption following public engagement in early 2027.
• implementation planning for the recently adopted Revitalise Manukau Harbour strategy including liaison with multiple council departments to consider how they deliver activities to achieve the adopted outcomes.
• resource management reforms, including the team’s input into central government’s National Policy Direction, the council’s response to national standards, and facilitating the council’s development of a regional spatial plan.

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires experience in the programme management space, while also being familiar with local government’s implementation of central government direction, and council-adopted policy and strategy programmes. You have experience in similar roles within large, complex, or political organisations.

We will be looking for specific experience with the key role requirements:

• programme management skills in the development, tracking and adoption of strategies and policies and associated updates.
• able to effectively translate adopted strategy and policy into council-wide delivery programmes and the fostering of reporting on milestones through various avenues.
• strong interpersonal and presentation skills including the use of Microsoft Office software, while working in a politically demanding environment with a range of interests and audiences.
• understand Auckland’s natural environment and the pressures on it, and how council and other interests can influence achievement of positive environmental outcomes through the various regulatory and non-regulatory tools at its disposal.

We still encourage you to apply if you have some but not all these requirements.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.8 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well-being, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.

Find a copy of the position description, click HERE

View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!

Applications close: 7th October 2026

This role's ideal start date: 7th December 2026

Salary Range: 111k-124k

Auckland Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. We collect personal information directly from you and, where relevant for the purpose of assessing you for employment, and employing you as part of the transport reform process, from third parties such as referees, previous employers (including Auckland Transport) recruitment agencies, and background checking providers.

By applying for this role, you consent to Council obtaining a reference from your current employer, including information about any active conduct investigations and current performance management processes, if you are the preferred candidate. Reference checks will only be undertaken at the preferred candidate stage. Any non-active performance or conduct matters may also be discussed with referees as part of the reference checking process.

If you do not consent to this information being provided, Council may be unable to properly assess your application and your application will not progress further. If you wish to withhold your consent, or to access or correct your personal information, please contact the Privacy Officer at privacy@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.