Head of Community Resilience

As part of a recent redesign to strengthen how we serve our community, Napier City Council has created a brand-new role: Head of Community Resilience & Assets.

This role offers you the chance to shape how we support our community through resilience, emergency management, and asset planning. You'll unite community development and building asset management into a single structure—embedding resilience into everyday operations and ensuring our services and infrastructure reflect evolving community needs.

Are you a strategic thinker with a heart for community impact? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where customer service, forward planning, and real-world outcomes intersect? At Napier City Council, we're seeking a proactive, people-focused leader to drive the future of community services—where resilience, safety, and long-term sustainability are at the core.

In this pivotal role, you'll lead integrated strategies across resilience, emergency management, and asset planning and work closely with our Executive Leadership Team to ensure our community is supported today and prepared for tomorrow. You'll empower teams to deliver outstanding service, build strong partnerships, and shape safe, connected, and thriving places for everyone.

This is more than a leadership opportunity—it's your chance to influence how we protect, plan, and provide for our community in meaningful and lasting ways.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

• Provide strategic leadership across community resilience, emergency management, and building assets, aligning work programmes with Council's long-term goals.
• Champion community wellbeing through inclusive programmes, engagement, and initiatives that strengthen resilience.
• Oversee asset management, renewals, maintenance, and capital works to optimise performance and ensure safe, adaptable facilities.
• Lead complex projects and programmes, promoting accountability, quality delivery, and measurable outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships across iwi, community groups, emergency services, and government agencies to support integrated, resilient service delivery.

He kōrero mōhou - About You

• Tertiary qualification in Community Development, Asset Management, Engineering, Public Policy, or related discipline.
• 12-15 years' senior leadership or advisory experience in local government, community development, or asset/infrastructure management.
• Proven ability to deliver strategy and complex work programmes that strengthen community resilience and asset performance.
• Proven experience working with elected members or in a board/governance environment, with the confidence and ability to engage effectively in all interactions with senior leadership—articulating ideas clearly, contributing strategically, and influencing outcomes with credibility.
• Strong understanding of community engagement and resilience frameworks, with excellent relationship management skills.
• Skilled at leading multi-disciplinary teams and driving collaboration across organisations and stakeholders.

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.

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 drug testing, with some roles requiring health screening). 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

Department

Community Services

Locations

Central Post Office

Employment Type

Permanent