NZ Development Director

A rare opportunity exists to play a lead role in the development of a nationally significant New Zealand project operating within a highly complex regulatory, stakeholder and environmental landscape.

Location flexible – Wellington or Christchurch ideal, however applications are welcomed from suitably qualified candidates throughout New Zealand.

This position sits at the intersection of project development, government engagement, stakeholder management and commercial strategy. The successful candidate will become the senior in-country representative for the project, helping shape and advance one of New Zealand’s more complex and high-profile development initiatives.

This is not a traditional technical delivery role.

Success in this position will rely heavily on your ability to navigate government, regulatory, iwi, community and commercial relationships while balancing long-term project outcomes, stakeholder alignment and social licence considerations.

The Opportunity

Reporting into an international executive leadership team, the Development Director will lead the New Zealand project development strategy from early-stage regulatory and stakeholder engagement through to project execution readiness.

The role will involve significant interaction with:

• Central government and regulatory agencies
• Iwi and Māori stakeholders
• Environmental and community groups
• Industry and commercial partners
• Infrastructure and operational contractors
• Senior executive and board-level stakeholders

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading project development activities across regulatory, stakeholder and commercial workstreams
• Managing senior government and regulatory engagement
• Supporting complex consenting and approval pathways
• Building trusted relationships with iwi, community and industry stakeholders
• Identifying and managing key project risks and strategic issues
• Supporting long-term commercial and partnership development opportunities
• Acting as the primary in-country representative for the project

About You

We are interested in speaking with senior leaders who have operated within complex, stakeholder-intensive project environments where credibility, influence and strategic judgement are critical.

Backgrounds could include:

• Major infrastructure development
• Energy or offshore projects
• Resources or industrial development
• Ports, marine or dredging environments
• Transport or nationally significant infrastructure projects
• Large-scale environmental or consenting programs

You will likely bring:

• Significant experience leading complex project development initiatives
• Strong government, regulatory and stakeholder engagement capability
• Experience operating within publicly scrutinised environments
• Proven ability to work effectively with iwi and community stakeholders
• Strong commercial judgement and strategic thinking
• The maturity and credibility to operate at executive and public-facing levels

What’s on Offer

• Senior leadership role with significant autonomy and influence
• Opportunity to help shape a major long-term project in New Zealand
• International backing and exposure
• Broad scope spanning stakeholder, commercial and project leadership
• Competitive executive salary package plus long-term incentive potential

Please contact Peter Henderson for a confidential discussion on 027 441 9300 or apply here