Technical Director - Planning

About the Company and Role

SLR Consulting is a global environmental consultancy with more than 1200 staff across Asia Pacific, recognized for delivering high-quality tailored services. The company promotes a 'One Team Culture' emphasizing diverse thought and collaboration to provide exceptional results. SLR's mission is 'Making Sustainability Happen' by partnering with clients to address complex sustainability challenges.

Due to growth in New Zealand's renewable energy sector and increasing demand for wind energy expertise, a new position of Technical Director – Planning has been created. This role focuses specifically on RMA project management and the consent acquisition process for onshore wind farms in New Zealand. The incumbent will lead onshore wind farm projects, offering expert strategic and technical planning advice grounded in sector experience. This includes managing multidisciplinary teams and collaborating across various locations in New Zealand.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead coordination, proposal development, and RMA project management within the Planning practice for technically complex, high-value onshore wind farm projects under New Zealand’s planning framework, including the Fast Track Approvals Act.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients throughout the planning process, including compliance with Fast Track Approvals.
• Manage client relationships from initial engagement through project completion, supporting strategic initiatives and routine activities.
• Oversee project management to ensure timelines and budgets are met across consent lifecycles, including managing internal specialists and external consultants.
• Foster a collaborative culture and knowledge sharing across the SLR renewable energy disciplines.
• Build strong professional relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners across the company.
• Identify and pursue business development opportunities to support growth of the business, teams, and individual staff performance.
• Collaborate with leadership including Growth Director, Planning Managers, Team Leaders, and other Technical Directors to manage resources and enhance skills for wind farm project delivery.
• Conduct technical and peer reviews of reports to maintain quality standards.
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices by engaging in technical forums and associations.

Requirements

• Possess a professional qualification in resource management planning or a closely related degree.
• Hold or be actively pursuing full membership with the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI).
• Have over 20 years of professional experience in planning and resource management.
• Demonstrated success in the renewable energy sector, particularly in managing onshore wind energy projects including navigating the Fast Track Approvals process, and achieving financial goals.
• Recognized as an industry expert in resource management within renewable energy.
• Experience managing stakeholder engagement, including effective collaboration with mana whenua.
• Strong client relationship management capabilities.
• Proven mentorship and coaching skills to support staff development at SLR.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to support client needs effectively.
• Excellent communication skills with both colleagues and clients.
• Effective time management skills to handle multiple projects competing for attention.

Benefits and Culture

SLR fosters a unique culture of collaboration aimed at achieving optimal outcomes for clients. The company supports flexible working arrangements tailored to individual needs and offers comprehensive benefits to its employees.

Equal Opportunity and Recruitment Process

SLR makes hiring decisions based on experience, skills, and passion. Interviews involve gender-diverse panels where possible. Candidates are encouraged to communicate preferred pronouns and any reasonable adjustments required during the interview. Unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies are not accepted unless through authorized vendor agreements.