Help shape our district in this influential relationship management role within our District Development team.

We have an exciting opportunity to join a small, high-performing team responsible for driving the economic development function at Whangārei District Council (WDC).

About the role

As Relationship Manager - Business Success, you will play a key role in enabling new developments and high-impact projects across the district.

You'll work closely with developers, businesses, and internal teams to:

• Act as a trusted advisor and point of contact for key projects
• Identify and remove barriers early to support successful outcomes
• Help clients navigate complex legislative and regulatory processes
• Connect people, information, and services across Council
• Ensure our strategic priorities are reflected in the projects we support

This is a relationship-focused role where you'll influence outcomes by building trust, simplifying complexity, and keeping projects moving forward.

About you

You're a natural relationship builder who thrives on working with a wide range of people. You bring a balance of strategic thinking, practical problem-solving, and a strong drive to achieve results.

You will also have:

• A practical understanding of the challenges faced by the commercial sector in progressing developments when working with local government
• Experience working within or alongside local government, particularly in resource management and/or building processes
• The ability to understand and translate complex strategies, policies, and processes into clear guidance
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, solution-focused approach
• High integrity and sound judgement

What we offer

At WDC, our organisational tikanga guide everything we do, and our people are key to our success.

We offer:

• Flexible working options
• Learning and development opportunities
• Health and life insurance benefits
• A supportive, collaborative team environment

Most importantly, you'll be working alongside passionate people who are committed to making a real difference in our district.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the People & Capability team on (09) 430 4200 or 0800 932 463. We look forward to hearing from you.